Sarah Ferguson celebrates milestone birthday after challenging year for the Yorks

Sarah, Duchess of York was diagnosed with malignant melanoma earlier this year
PA
Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 15/10/2024

- 13:04

Updated: 15/10/2024

- 14:17

The Duchess of York remains close with her ex-husband Prince Andrew

Sarah Ferguson, ex-wife of Prince Andrew, celebrates her 65th birthday today after a very turbulent year for her family.

The Duchess of York was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, in January and has been undergoing treatment for the condition.


The melanoma was discovered following the removal of a cancerous mole during treatment for breast cancer she was diagnosed with the year before.

She says she feels optimistic and is in “high spirits” regarding her health.

Sarah, Duchess of YorkSarah, Duchess of York was diagnosed with malignant melanoma earlier this yearPA

Her announcement came just weeks before King Charles announced his cancer diagnosis.

The former wife of Prince Andrew also recently spoke of her admiration towards the Princess of Wales about her battle with cancer.

Sarah Ferguson has previously referenced an ongoing feud between her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, and King Charles regarding the Royal Lodge, where she currently lives.

The monarch reportedly wishes for the Duke and Duchess of York to downsize and save costs by moving to the smaller Frogmore Cottage, which was once occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Andrew at Royal Lodge/Sarah, Duchess of York

Ten years later, in June 1996, she and Prince Andrew officially divorced but remained living together in Buckingham Palace until 2003, when they moved to Royal Lodge together.

Getty

At 26, Sarah became the Duchess of York when she married Prince Andrew in 1986.

Ten years later, in June 1996, she and Prince Andrew officially divorced but remained living together in Buckingham Palace until 2003, when they moved to Royal Lodge together.

Sarah is the youngest daughter of Ronald Ferguson, who was a PR consultant and King Charles's polo manager, and Susan Wright.

She gave birth to her two daughters, Beatrice, in 1988 and Eugenie in 1990, who both feature in documentaries released earlier this year following Prince Andrew and his controversial Newsnight interview.

Ex-BBC presenter claims Prince Andrew interview was not bid to \u2018ruin Duke\u2019s life\u2019

Both Amazon Prime and Netflix released documentaries about the 2019 Newsnight interview

BBC

Both Amazon Prime and Netflix released documentaries about the 2019 interview where Prince Andrew vigorously denied allegations of sexual assault.

Whilst Andrew is no longer a working Royal and remains cocooned in Royal Lodge, Sarah has reinvented herself as an author and TV personality, having most recently published her book Flora and Fern earlier this month and regularly appears on loose women.

The Duke and Duchess of York will publish a joint Biography by Andrew Lownie next year.

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