Sarah Ferguson’s family ‘questioned why she married Prince Andrew’ | Royal | News
The royal author claimed Sarah Ferguson was unsure of her own family’s reasons for marrying Prince Andrew. Royal author Andrew Lownie explored the relationship between the Duke and Duchess of York and the events leading up to their wedding in his book titled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York.
Mr Lownie writes: “Even Sarah’s family were unsure about the relationship. Either she was in love with Andrew or she was in love with the Royal Family, and I think it’s the latter.” Buckingham Palace announced their engagement on 19 February 1986, and the couple were married at Westminster Abbey on 23 July 1986.
The author added: “There were mixed feelings within the Royal Family. They had known Ferguson all her life because she had been part of royal circles and they shared an interest in outdoor activities, dogs, horses and even silent cinema. Compared to Diana, she was easy-going and clearly made Andrew happy, but according to a well-connected source: Fergie couldn’t stop talking, and in an inappropriate way.”
As reported Daily MailThe royal author added: “There were also concerns that there might be scandals in her private life. A palace source told journalist Stuart White the concern was: “Fergie had gone a bit overboard and was a ‘playgirl’. I was used to the phrase and it had nothing to do with liking grouse moors.”
Even Sarah Ferguson was allegedly worried about the pace of the relationship. The couple first met at Ascot in June 1985 and were engaged to be married less than a year later.
A friend told Mr Lownie: “Although he was extremely happy, he was horrified at what he had gotten himself into.”
The author added: “Feeling pressure from her family to settle down, recovering from various failed relationships, driven by her strong physical attraction to Ferguson and her loneliness, she felt this was an opportunity she should not lose.”
The Duke and Duchess of York faced a tumultuous marriage, which ended in separation in 1992 and then divorce in 1996.
The Duchess of York, who celebrates her 66th birthday today, currently lives at Royal Lodge Windsor with her ex-husband Prince Andrew. Despite their divorce in 1996, the two maintained a very close and enduring relationship that continues to attract public attention.
The couple, who have two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have often spoken of their bond, which seems to defy the typical trajectory of divorced royal couples.
The book, Entitled, published in August 2025, “traces the lives of the late Queen’s second son and his ex-wife through their childhood, courtships, marriages, divorces, careers, royal and philanthropic activities”.
