Reason King Charles finally welcomed Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson back to the royal fold

A bold decision has sparked a very unexpected royal comeback this week – and palace insiders have lifted the lid on exactly what prompted it.

Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson joined the royal family for their Christmas Day public appearance. Picture:

New details have emerged about exactly what led to Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson’s surprise Christmas Day return to the royal fold after more than thirty years.

The Duchess of York, 64, stunned onlookers with her appearance alongside members of the monarchy including King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales this week as she took part in their annual walk to St Mary Magdelene’s church on the Sandringham estate.

It marked the first time she had been included since 1992, around the time her split from Prince Andrew was announced. The pair officially divorced in 1996 but have remained close friends and even live together in the Royal Lodge in Windsor.

According to Page Six, it was her former brother-in-law, Charles, who is responsible for her royal comeback after all these years.

“Sarah has always been close to the king [Charles] and is fond of him, and she has increasingly grown closer to the queen [Camilla],” a palace insider told the publication.

“She’s always been loyal to the family and has really not put a foot wrong in recent years. She’s never said a critical word and is always extremely loyal to the institution.”

King Charles invited his former sister-in-law to join the family, according to an insider. Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage

She was beaming as she waved to the crowd. Picture: Adrian Dennis/AFP

It comes after the King, then only a few months into the top job, quietly invited Ferguson to join the family for Christmas lunch at the Norfolk estate in 2022 – although she remained excluded from the public church outing.

Fast-forward 12 months, and she was front and centre with the rest of the royals, including her ex-husband and her daughters, Princess Beatrice, 35, and Princess Eugenie, 33, as they walked together into the service.

William, Kate and their three kids were also seen walking into church. Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage

Despite her enduring friendship with Andrew and her loyalty to The Firm, Ferguson was kept in the royal wilderness for decades after a series of controversies.

The turbulent period saw her photographed with her toes in a US financier’s mouth and also caught on tape trying to sell a journalist access to her ex.

The scandals horrified the royals – especially the late Prince Philip, who reportedly refused to allow Ferguson to join them at any public events during the remainder of his life.

It’s understood that hard line stance has been thawing since his death in 2021, and Charles is clearly open to welcoming her back now that he is monarch.

“Fergie is really the glue that holds the Yorks together,” another royal source told Page Six.

“She’s devoted to her girls and grandchildren and lives with the duke day to day and has seen him through this difficult period, which has been appreciated by the wider family.”

Ferguson’s inclusion meant she was able to join her daughters - including Beatrice, seen her with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi - on the festive occasion. Picture: Adrian Dennis/AFP

The Duchess of York has remained a staunch supporter of her ex-husband. Picture: Adrian Dennis/AFP

Ferguson has remained one of the few staunch supporters of Andrew, 63, throughout his sex assault scandal, which saw him step back from official duties and lose his royal title and privileges.

In early 2022, the Duke of York paid a multimillion-dollar settlement to Virginia Giuffre, one of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers, after she claimed she was forced to have sex with him when she was just 17 years old.

Andrew has consistently denied the allegation and Ferguson has repeatedly and publicly offered him her full support.

She took to Instagram shortly after her Sandringham appearance on Monday to post a picture of herself, Beatrice and Eugenie, along with a caption about feeling “grateful” – in what appeared to be a subtle nod to her royal inclusion.

“We are enjoying each other’s company and feeling grateful today. I hope everyone has a wonderful day,” she said.

“Happy Christmas to anyone who celebrates and season’s greetings to all!”