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It has been over 28 years since Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson finalized their divorce in 1996, but the two still maintain an extremely close relationship and share a residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor. Ferguson, who turns 65 today, has two daughters with Prince Andrew - Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Despite Prince Andrew’s current issues with King Charles regarding his living situation after Royal Lodge became too expensive to maintain, both he and Ferguson continue to call the 30-bedroom property home. Ferguson, affectionately known as ‘Fergie’ among friends, has known Andrew since their youth and they married in 1986. Their separation occurred in 1991 and their divorce was finalized 5 years later.
However, in a highly unusual arrangement for a divorced couple, the two have remained on extremely friendly terms and continue to live under the same roof at Royal Lodge. In interviews over the years, Ferguson has made it clear that she views the property as her main UK residence and feels very comfortable there. Whenever she is in Britain, she says Royal Lodge feels like home.
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Ferguson has also been a constant source of support for Andrew throughout the Jeffrey Epstein controversy that engulfed him in 2019 and led to his retirement from public royal duties. In a 2010 interview, Ferguson opened up about the struggles of marrying into the royal family. She said: “My deal was that I was marrying my man who happened to be a prince... but what I got was not the man I got the palace and didn’t get him.”
The couple began their married life living at Sunninghill Park in Ascot before relocating to Royal Lodge in 2004. In a 2018 interview, Ferguson revealed that despite having separate living quarters in the massive mansion, she and Andrew always enjoy afternoon tea together which she says is an important daily tradition for their family.
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Ferguson has emphasized that despite past events, their family remains very united. She stated: “We’re the happiest divorced couple in the world. We’re divorced to each other, not from each other. My duty is to him. I am so proud of him. I stand by him and always will. The way we are is our fairy tale. The Yorks are a united family and we’ve shown it.”
More recently in 2021, she told the Sunday Times that Royal Lodge feels like her principal UK home whenever she is staying in Britain, though she was careful not to assume the title too presumptuously. She travels frequently but says she can make anywhere feel like home with family photos and scented candles.
Ferguson has also embraced her role as a hands-on grandmother to Prince Andrew's grandchildren. In a 2022 interview with This Morning, she opened up about the "precious, joyful" experience of being a grandmother. She looks after Beatrice's daughter Sienna and Eugenie's sons August and Sapho whenever possible.
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Ferguson admitted that at 64, she finds herself reliving her youth through playing with the kids. This inspired her children's book "Flora and Fern: Wonder in the Woods", where she hopes to impart the importance of community and environmental values. On Instagram, she said spending time with her grandchildren was one of her greatest thrills.
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Despite their divorce over 25 years ago, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's living situation remains remarkably close and friendly. Through ongoing support of one another and focus on their family, they have crafted a very unconventional but happy arrangement. Their united front even in the face of Andrew's recent scandals demonstrates a deep bond that has endured despite their broken marriage.
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