Fergie and Andrew remained incredibly close following their divorce in 1996 – but it seems the weight of their disgrace from the Epstein scandal has had a major impact on their friendship
She once famously described them as ‘the happiest divorced couple in the world ‘. But it seems the close bond Sarah Ferguson and her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten Windsor once shared has broken under the strain of the Epstein scandal.
Right up until the end of last year, the exes were still lying together at Royal Lodge in Windsor. Sarah moved in with Andrew in 2008, following their 1996 divorce, and they continued to share a home. She previously opened up about the unusual arrangement, explaining that while they have separate bedrooms, they came together every day for afternoon tea. “It’s a very important part of our lives,” she revealed.
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But then it all came crashing down. In light of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew was stripped of his titles and evicted from Royal Lodge. The former prince vehemently denies any wrondgoing.
He was given a home on the Sandringham estate – Marsh Farm – but no such offer was extended to his ex-wife, whose exact whereabouts remains unknown.
Sarah is said to be feeling “incredibly betrayed” by members of the royal family in the wake of the scandal. And it seems to have irreparably damaged her relationship with Andrew.
A friend told the Daily Mail that while she and Andrew are technically still on speaking terms they are “not talking that much”. They added: “It is almost as if they have run away from each other. She is bobbing around with friends.’
Sarah, 66, hasn’t been seen in public for months now, with reports placing her at locations varying from Ireland to Dubai and the States. Now a friend has described her as being on a “secret sofa-surfing world tour” which has seen her moving from the home of one loyally discreet friend to another. She is also reportedly in possession of three mobile phones as she continues to hide out.
And while her relationship with Andrew appears to have been pushed to its limits under the weight of their disgrace, she has reportedly have turned to some of her other exes in her time of need.
Fergie is rumoured to have been spending time in one of the homes belonging to Count Gaddo della Gherardesca, who she dated after her divorce, between late 1997 and early 1998. The 86-year-old Italian count has an enormous home in Tuscany, as well as a ski lodge in Verbier.
She is also said to have reached out to former flame Paddy McNally. Last month it was reported that she was hiding at the Wiltshire home of the 88-year-old former racing driver and motorsports executive, who she dated for three years before marrying Andrew. He also has properties in the Swiss ski resort Verbier and in St Tropez in the south of France.
Sarah’s ability to remain in hiding for so long is apparently thanks to the kindness of loyal, wealthy friends, upon whom she is now wholly reliant. According to one source, there are a number of people – including some well-known names – that are still quietly faithful to Fergie and wealthy enough to house her. But they want to keep that connection to the disgraced ex royal completely under wraps.
