Sarah Ferguson welcomed back into royal fold
Sarah Ferguson has been publicly welcomed back into the royal fold for the family’s Christmas at Sandringham, 30 years after being frozen out.
Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson excitedly bounced her way from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdelene’s church on Christmas morning behind King Charles and other members of the royal family, signifying a mellowing by the King.
Charles’ “big heart” to allow “Fergie” back into the inner heart of the family, just months after she endured breast cancer treatment, spoke volumes about the 64 year old’s continuing role in her ex-husband’s life.
A certain Sussex couple in Montecito, California, who are also eyeing a thawing of tense relations with Buckingham Palace - may have taken note that a once remote return to the inner sanctum is not impossible.
With Fergie’s return, wearing a green coat and a Christmas tree brooch, many well wishers were reminded of the last time she made the walk, back on a frosty 1991 Christmas ambling alongsde Andrew and behind Princess Diana luminous in a striking blue coat and hat and holding Prince Harry’s hand.
This year Fergie was at the rear of the family group, among her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Andrew for the second year in a row also walked with the family in a very public show of unity, once again faces scrutiny about his friendship with the convicted abuser Jeffrey Epstein when a US court releases hundreds of files relating to a defamation case in the new year.
Fergie has been Andrew’s biggest supporter during the tumultuous past few years in which he paid around $6m to one of Epstein’s trafficking victims, Virginia Guiffrem an out of court civil settlement.
The couple eventually divorced in 1996 but Fergie’s estrangement from the royals came immediately after a 1992 “toe-sucking’ scandal embarrassed the Queen and horrified Prince Philip.
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, from our family to yours! W & C
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) December 25, 2023
📸 Josh Shinner pic.twitter.com/7qyMlMTvVG
Philip banned Fergie from any royal events, but since Philip’s death in April 2021, the Queen had allowed her former daughter in law to privately attend family events. Fergie and the Queen maintained a close relationship and Fergie even took in the Queen’s beloved corgis after her death last year.
Fergie still lives with Andrew in separate wings of the Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate - and moves by Charles to have Andrew move into Frogmore House - the renovated home formerly occupied by Harry and wife Meghan - have come to nought.
But if the Sussexes have designs on attending any future Sandringham Christmas, it is not King Charles that they will have to win over.
It has been reported in the United States that in 2024 Meghan and Harry are striving for “redemption”, and have further Hollywood plans afoot. But their reputations continue to nosedive among US audiences - the Hollywood Reporter labelled them this year as the “biggest losers”.
The British public don’t want them either, and the Royal Family would risk significant damage by embracing this couple who have both trashed the royals yet profited by their association.
The frosty relationship between Harry and Prince William, and significantly the enmity between the two women, Princess Catherine and Meghan amid the Sussexes accusations of unconscious bias and favouritism continues to rankle deeply.
Princess Anne is also a major influence on Charles and would have to be convinced any Sussex return would be an enhancement to the monarchy.
Fergie, though, is considered an asset for her unwavering loyalty.
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