Fergie reveals she ‘mirrored’ Princess Diana when she first joined the royal family
The Duchess of York has revealed that she “mirrored” Princess Diana when she first joined the royal family, when her late sister-in-law was “working a room.”
Sarah Ferguson, 63, revealed on the Tea Talks podcast that she and Diana loved each other “with all our hearts” for their shared interests – including “incessant” discussions about charity work.
In the third episode of the podcast, which she co-hosts with Sarah Thomson, she also discussed the bond she has with her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
The Duchess, known as GG to her now three grandchildren, said she had the family over the weekend and they had an “incredible” time.
Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank welcomed Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank on May 30.
The Duchess of York, 63, recalls her close relationship with the late Princess Diana, with whom she shared various interests, including charity work
Sarah has three grandchildren – Ernest, known as Ernie according to the Duchess, Eugenie’s eldest son August and Beatrice’s daughter Sienna – and a step-grandson, Wolfie – Beatrice’s stepson.
Speaking of Diana, Sarah said, “Diana and I have certainly talked about charity incessantly. We, both of us, loved to give. So she was very similar to me.
“She never understood how brilliant she really was, you know, and both of us didn’t understand that together. And I used to hug her, but she wouldn’t understand.
“And her mother and my mother went to school together. And they were best friends. And Diana was my second cousin, and you know it’s extraordinary that we were brought together.
Recalling her friendship with Princess Diana, Fergie called the late princess “Dutch” and praised her work on HIV/AIDS
“And we loved each other with all our hearts and she made me laugh more than any other single person I’ve ever met in my life.”
Sarah said there is “no one like her (Diana) in the world because she had the ability to give her whole heart because she didn’t give her whole heart to herself.”
Reflecting on Diana’s charitable work, Sarah said, “Diana and I talked about when she was doing HIV/AIDS, when she really started to emphasize it. And everyone said, ‘No, you can’t touch them’. And she said, ‘Why? I know what it’s like to be banned. I know what it’s like to be left in the corner of a room.”
And that’s what she did. And I know that feeling too, when people don’t want to talk to you because bad Fergie sells papers.
“They’ve already sentenced you and you’re left alone.”
Sarah said she was inspired by Diana, whom she calls Dutch, when she started her royal life.
“I remember when I first became a princess with Dutch, and I saw her work a room, and I just copied her.
“I mirrored her, how she did it, because she was just incredible.”
Sarah added, “She just went straight in with her heart, full of heart, full of energy, and she left everything outside the door.”
Meanwhile, Sarah talked about the fun weekend she had with her grandchildren.
“So my grandkids had a great weekend,” she said.
‘I was very lucky. I had everyone in. I had Edo and Beatrice and Jack and Eugenie and August and the new Ernest. Well, Ernie.’
She said her granddaughter Sienna is “just a completely independent, wonderful joy.”