Sarah Ferguson ‘back in the royal fold’ as Duchess pays emotional tribute to late Queen
PA / GB NEWS
Fergie lives in Royal Lodge with the estranged Prince Andrew
Sarah Ferguson is “back in the royal fold”, with her reintegration aided by King Charles, according to a royal expert.
It comes as the late Queen’s former daughter-in-law paid an emotional tribute to the ex-monarch on the first anniversary of her death.
Sarah, who took over the duties of looking after the Queen’s corgi dogs, had grown apart from the royal establishment after her divorce from Prince Andrew.
The Duchess of York branded her former mother-in-law a “wonderful friend, mentor and a second mother” in a touching tribute on Instagram.
Fergie was married to Andrew for 10 years, but is understood to still hold positive relations with her former husband.
Speaking on GB News, Jennie Bond said Ferguson was “very close” to the Queen, even after her divorce.
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“Sarah was always very close to the Queen”, she said.
“Throughout all of the troubles and in spite of the divorce, all of the trouble Sarah has got into, the Queen never shut the door.
“Philip did, but she’s kind of back in the fold now. The King now has made it clear that there will be no public duties for Andrew.
“But privately, he’s still his brother.”
Sarah Ferguson has paid an emotional tribute to her late mother-in-law
PASarah has spoken about her closeness to the Queen often, and did so in her emotional tribute, written a year on from her death.
“You were a wonderful friend, a mentor, a second mother to me and grandmother to my daughters who share so much of your courage and heart”, she wrote.
“You will always be loved and missed by our family and our nation.”
The Duchess continues to live with her estranged husband Prince Andrew at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, despite their 1996 divorce.
Sarah is one of many royal to have paid tribute.
The King and Queen marked the anniversary with a poignant moment of prayers and reflection in the church where she worshipped.
Charles and Camilla travelled to Crathie Kirk to mark the life and service of the former monarch who reigned for 70 years.
They were both met with crowds of well-wishers on a walkabout in the nearby town of Ballater.
The Rev Kenneth Mackenzie, minister of Crathie Kirk, who officiated at the event, said: “It was a simple reflective time, a time where we were able to give thanks for the life of the late Queen and recognise the poignancy of this day for that family and this community, as well as the nation and Commonwealth.
“I think that those of us that did get to see the Queen in different situations, but particularly up here, felt it today, were reminded of the loss.
“But we were also glad, just as the family were able to gather here last year, some members of the family were able to be here.
“And wherever they might be, in their own homes or wherever, I’m glad that people will have the opportunity to reflect and gives some thanks for the life of the Queen.”