Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor heard major family news from his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. A source claims the former prince learned he would become a grandfather for the fifth time over the phone.
Princess Eugenie announced last week that she and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, are expecting their third child this summer. Eugenie wrote on Instagram: “Baby Brooksbank due 2026!” alongside a picture of her children, August and Ernest, holding an ultrasound image of her pregnancy scan. The Royal Family Instagram account shared the news at the same time, saying: “August (aged 5) and Ernest (aged 2) are also very excited to have another sibling join the family. His Majesty The King has been informed and is delighted with the news.” But Andrew reportedly learned of it from Sarah Ferguson, a source told the Mail. They said that Eugenie decided to have her mother relay the news, rather than doing it personally.
Rumours of the princess’s pregnancy first emerged when she and her sister Princess Beatrice were snapped on a day out in London, with royal watchers speculating that Eugenie appeared to be hiding her baby bump before the news was confirmed.
The source added that Eugenie has had limited contact with her father since he was stripped of his royal titles and kicked out of the Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Neither Andrew nor Sarah has publicly commented on Eugenie’s pregnancy. This is in contrast to August’s birth five years ago, when Sarah Ferguson appeared on a magazine cover to promote her debut novel and celebrate the birth.
According to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, no matter the status of their relationship, Andrew and Fergie are undoubtedly thrilled at the prospect of welcoming a new grandchild.
“I’m sure both Andrew and Sarah will share their daughter’s joy,” Jennie said, “Although the state of their relationship with both Eugenie and Beatrice remains unknown.”
The royal expert believes that while the scandal surrounding the former Duke and Duchess of York rages on, Eugenie is solely focused on her growing family, and the princess and her husband are likely all the more close for having weathered the storm together.
Andrew is now living at Marsh Farm Cottage on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, and was arrested on his 66th birthday in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Sarah has been staying at a £2,000-a-night chalet in the Austrian Alps since February. She has been spotted only a few times since October 2025.