Sarah Ferguson — affectionately known as “Fergie” — has finally broken her silence regarding her life after divorce from Prince Andrew. Decades after their high-profile split, the Duchess of York has offered a surprisingly candid and emotional reflection that has shocked many, both for its honesty and its timing.
The Duke and Duchess of York officially divorced in 1996 after a ten-year marriage, which had been under intense media scrutiny. Despite their separation, the two remained unusually close — even continuing to live together for many years at Royal Lodge in Windsor. Their unique post-divorce relationship has long puzzled royal watchers and fueled speculation about a potential reconciliation.
But now, nearly 30 years later, Ferguson is offering her own perspective, and it’s turning heads.
In a new interview with a major UK outlet, Fergie spoke openly about the years following her divorce — touching on the loneliness, public criticism, and personal growth she experienced after stepping away from the royal spotlight.
“I lost myself in the chaos,” she admitted. “The divorce wasn’t just the end of a marriage — it was the end of a role, a position, and the illusion of permanence. One day you're a duchess on the world stage, and the next, you’re just trying to figure out who you are without the title.”
Ferguson didn’t hold back when discussing the challenges of raising daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie under the constant glare of the press. “My girls gave me strength,” she said. “When the tabloids were unkind, when the public turned, it was their smiles that kept me going.”
However, the real shock came when she spoke about her enduring relationship with Prince Andrew.
“People have speculated for years. Let me be clear — I’ve never stopped caring for Andrew,” Ferguson said, stirring up immediate media frenzy. “There was love, and there still is — just not in the way people expect. We’re family. We’ve leaned on each other through everything.”
She also acknowledged the controversies surrounding Prince Andrew, particularly in recent years, and revealed how it has affected her personally.
“It hasn’t been easy,” she confessed. “But I believe in loyalty and compassion. That doesn’t mean condoning everything. It means standing by someone when they’re down, especially when the world walks away.”
The Duchess has been on a path of reinvention in recent years, becoming a bestselling author, charity advocate, and a public speaker. She recently overcame a battle with breast cancer, which she credits with shifting her perspective entirely.