Sarah Ferguson has been “shaken to the core” by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor‘s exile from the Royal Family over his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, according to reports. The former Duchess of York was ousted from the 30-bedroom Royal Lodge where she had lived with her ex-husband since 2008 last month as King Charles finally bowed to mounting pressure over his brother’s links to the late financier. She also lost her royal titles alongside Andrew on October 30 but rather than banding together to withstand the resulting media storm, the pair have reportedly become estranged in the weeks since their eviction.
“Sarah has made it well-known among her staff and others that she no longer believes in Andrew and is prepared to go her own way after years of loyalty and public defence,” royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News.
“Her nerves are frayed. She is shaken to the core by the loss of her royal safety net,” broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard added.
Sarah has also expressed fears over the impact of the ongoing scandal on the former couple’s daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
“She fears further humiliation and worries that the serious allegations will affect her girls’ standing,” Ms Chard added.
“Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have distanced themselves from their parents’ scandals.”
Andrew and Sarah’s relationship has long been unconventional, with the exes remaining close friends and continuing to live in the same house for decades after divorcing.
But the King’s drastic response to Andrew’s tattered public reputation may have driven an immovable wedge between them.
“While Sarah and Andrew are currently both still residing in Windsor, they are reportedly sleeping at different ends of the sprawling Royal Lodge,” Ms Fordwich said.
“They do get together to discuss their respective uncertain futures. While their relationship has long been described as unusually close for divorced exes – cohabiting and supporting each other through public crises – there is now a real rupture.”
While Andrew will reportedly move to an unspecified new home on the king’s estate in Sandringham in the new year, Sarah’s future is less certain, with reports suggesting a relocation abroad could be on the cards.
News of her turbulent state of mind comes after royal biographer Robert Jobson told Hello! Magazine’s ‘A Right Royal Podcast’ that the former duchess is “not great”.
“I’ve known her for many years, and I’m not saying that she hasn’t done anything wrong – because it has been documented what she did wrong,” he said.
“Should she be in the same boat as Andrew? I don’t necessarily think so.”