In January 1992, following rumours that Sarah Ferguson was having an affair, the late Queen Elizabeth II gave a statement confirming that her daughter-in-law had indeed ‘initiated discussions about a formal separation’ but that nothing was ‘completed’. But what was at the root of their marriage breakdown?
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The rumours surrounding their separations
Towards the end of their marriage, rumours were circulating that Sarah Ferguson was having an affair with Steve Wyatt, who was ‘a very handsome and very rich Texan’ according to David Leigh, co-author of The Duchess of York Uncensored.
The author believes that he was the ‘main reason’ for the marriage breakdown. The pair allegedly met in 1989, while the Duchess of York was pregnant with Princess Eugenie. This was reportedly an ‘exceptionally low’ point in the Duchess' life when she ‘felt Andrew wasn’t supporting her’.
The book claims that Wyatt was ‘the love of her life’, and when he later got engaged to someone else, it left Fergie heartbroken. Sarah’s behaviour spiralled out of control, and the Duchess of York was pictured in the summer of 1992 having her ‘toes sucked’ by Steve’s close friend, John Bryan.
After that, there were no other options but to divorce Prince Andrew.
Read more:
⋙ Sarah Ferguson: Prince Andrew's ex wife believes Buckingham Palace behind toe-sucking scandal
Not what Fergie signed on for
In her own words, Sarah Ferguson tells a slightly different version of events that led to the breakdown of their marriage. One of the main reasons for the breakdown was Prince Andrew’s naval career. According to her, Prince Philip forbade her from living with the Duke of York wherever he was stationed. Instead, Sarah said she spent eight months of her first pregnancy alone.
Speaking to US TV host Ernie Manouse in 2010, she claimed that she only saw her husband 40 days a year, reports Express:
My deal was that I was marrying my man, who happened to be a prince and a naval officer. But what I got was not the man, I got the palace and didn't get him.
Fergie insisted that she never wished to divorce Prince Andrew. She has always claimed, and still claims, that he is her best friend. Despite the divorce and the Royal Family shunning her, Sarah and Prince Andrew have remained good friends throughout, both standing by one another in times of crisis.
Read more:
⋙ Prince Andrew’s ex Sarah Ferguson invited to spend her first Christmas with the Royals in 30 years
⋙ Sarah Ferguson: Prince Andrew's ex-wife’s new £5 million London home, here's how it looks inside
A different kind of happily ever after?
Fergie believes that if they could do it again,she and Prince Andrew would do things differently and perhaps, the pair would still be together. Per The Mirror, In 2010, she said:
Both Andrew and I… both of us say now if we could go back we would definitely play it differently and we should have learnt how to play the chess game differently. And maybe we have still been together.
However, Fergie doesn’t seem to regret how things panned out. She confessed to still loving Prince Andrew, stating that they ‘have a love which is unfathomable’ but that she doesn’t believe they’re meant to be married.
Sarah also said:
We are the happy ever after; it’s just not about marriage. […] I think I am free and wild and going around, but nothing will take his (Prince Andrew’s) place in my heart.
Sources used:
- The Mirror: Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson 'destroyed by pregnant affair' and Queen's strict rule
- Express: Sarah Ferguson's marriage to Andrew broke down after spending eight months pregnant alone
