Sarah Ferguson would likely be “heartbroken” if reports that she has been excluded from Princess Eugenie’s birth plans prove true, according to royal expert Jennie Bond. Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, are expecting their third child later this summer. However, recent reports have claimed the couple are determined to keep the birth as private as possible, with both Sarah Ferguson and Andrew allegedly set to be kept away from the delivery room and the days immediately following the birth.
According to Closer, Eugenie is focused on ensuring that her third child arrives with “the absolute minimum of fuss.”
A source told the publication: “Eugenie’s number one priority is having this baby with the absolute minimum of fuss. She doesn’t want the hospital turning into a circus, and she’s made that very clear.”
Reacting to the reports, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said Sarah would be deeply saddened if she were unable to share in the special family milestone.
“We do know that Fergie has been a doting grandmother in the past to her four little grandchildren, and I’m sure she would be heartbroken if she were excluded from this wonderful new episode in Eugenie and Jack’s life,” Bond told The Mirror.
Despite the speculation, Bond believes both Sarah and Andrew would naturally want to support their daughter as she prepares to welcome another child. “Well, who wouldn’t want to be involved in the birth and first few days in the life of a new grandchild?” she said.
“It’s only natural that Fergie, and Andrew too, would want to meet the new arrival and give any support they can to Eugenie.”
However, Bond stressed that the family’s private relationships remain largely unknown to the public.
“It’s thought that Eugenie has distanced herself from her disgraced father, and possibly from her mother as well. But the truth is, we don’t know what, if any, conversations or meetings they have had in recent times,” she added.
The royal expert suggested that if invited, Sarah would likely continue to support her daughter away from the public eye.
“Sarah will likely be supporting Eugenie from behind closed doors, if she is invited to,” Bond said.
Neither Princess Eugenie nor Buckingham Palace has commented on the reports surrounding the birth plans, and the claims regarding Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew‘s involvement have not been independently verified.