Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, is preparing to leave the Royal Lodge in Windsor, her shared home with ex-husband Prince Andrew, as pressure mounts from the Royal Family.
The Forced Exit and Its Causes
The move comes after King Charles reportedly ordered the couple to vacate the Windsor residence. This decision followed new revelations concerning their connections to the convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Leaked emails exposed that both Sarah and Andrew had maintained correspondence with Epstein for a longer period than they had previously admitted to the public.
A spokesperson for Sarah Ferguson confirmed the impending change, telling PEOPLE magazine: "She is assessing a number of options currently, and no final decision has been made." The spokesperson was keen to clarify her position, with a source adding, "Contrary to reports, she has never asked for a property or any provision for herself. She will continue to forge an independent life."
Potential New Homes and Declined Offers
Speculation is rife about where the Duchess will live next. It is understood that Prince Andrew is preparing to relocate to a property on the Sandringham Estate, where he is said to be requesting a substantial house complete with full staff.
Sarah Ferguson, however, will not be joining him there. Reports also suggest she has declined an offer of help from her eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice. Beatrice had allegedly offered her mother a transformed outbuilding on her Cotswolds estate, described as a refurbished "cattle shed" with its own entrance, to serve as a private annex.
Another potential option could see the Duchess moving abroad. Her younger daughter, Princess Eugenie, owns a £3.6 million estate within the exclusive CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club in Portugal, an area frequented by celebrities like Madonna and Nicole Kidman.
A second source close to Sarah emphasised her independent stance, stating she will find her own place and is "going to move forward independently."
Professional Fallout and Expert Commentary
The controversy has severely impacted Sarah Ferguson's professional life. Her upcoming children's book, 'Flora and Fern: Kindness Along the Way', has been pulled from publication. Originally scheduled for release on 9 October, then delayed to 20 November, the title has now been removed from retailers' schedules and all related author events have been quietly cancelled.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond provided stark analysis of the situation. "Any friendship with a man as depraved as Epstein is repulsive. To continue that friendship after he was convicted of sex crimes is indefensible," she said.
Bond suggested that both Andrew and Sarah have been trapped in a cycle of chasing wealth, noting Sarah's historical difficulty living within her means. She concluded, "Now, in their 60s and both in deep disgrace, surely the time has come for them to cut their cloth to suit the money they have, and to live a quiet life without causing further embarrassment."
While acknowledging Sarah's resilience in past scandals, Bond expressed doubt about a recovery this time, advising that maintaining a low profile would be the most sensible path forward.
