King Charles III has not invited Sarah Ferguson to his coronation – meaning his former sister-in-law will have to watch the event on TV, it was claimed today.
The 63-year-old Duchess of York, nicknamed ‘Fergie’, still lives with her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, at the Royal Lodge mansion in Windsor, despite their divorce in 1996.
But she is not now expected to attend the coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6 – despite Andrew and their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie both being expected to be there.
The report inside The independent today is likely to surprise some royal viewers — with Meghan Markle’s friend Omid Scobie tweeting, “If true, this feels kind of cruel, doesn’t it?”
And it comes a day after Buckingham Palace revealed that Prince Harry will be attending the event, but his wife will remain in California with the couple’s children Archie and Lilibet.
Sarah, Duchess of York (centre, left) posted a photo of her with Prince Andrew (centre, right) and their daughters Princess Eugenie (far right) and Princess Beatrice (far left) in May 2020
Sarah, The Duchess of York and Prince Andrew are heading to Ascot Racecourse together in June 2019
Princesses Beatrice (left) and Eugenie at Windsor’s Easter Sunday service on April 9
One of Sarah’s friends told the Independent: ‘She’s very supportive of Charles and Camilla and doesn’t want this to be about her.
“The whole day revolves around the new king and the success of his reign, but she has always defended the royal family and no doubt the queen would have wanted her to be there.”
Her lack of invitation to the coronation comes despite Andrew turning up at the Easter service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, although her ex-husband is still barred from most of life within the royal family.
Sarah herself has also enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent months, having been invited to join King Charles and other senior royals at Sandringham for Christmas, as well as looking after the late Queen’s corgis.
She was also a favorite of the late Queen and they were known to spend a lot of time together, including walks in Windsor Park. They knew each other before Sarah’s marriage to Andrew because her father Major Ronald Ferguson was the royal polo manager.
Last month, while talking to Glamor editor Samantha Barry, Sarah revealed she didn’t receive an invite to the coronation — jokingly saying it was “TBD” whether she’d eventually go.
The invitations haven’t gone out yet. Do they have?’ she asked when asked if she plans to go.
Camilla, King Charles III, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew at Windsor Castle on April 9
Sarah, the Duchess of York and the then Prince Charles kiss after a polo match in Windsor in June 1986
Charles speaks with Sarah at Princess Eugenie’s wedding in Windsor in October 2018
Sarah also insisted a lack of invitation didn’t bother her, saying: “Well I’ve decided it’s best to be British around a coronation – although I’ve never been there – I think we should , I’d like a tea room at the end of the driveway with flags and pastries.’
Just over a week ago, she spoke of her continuing grief at the Queen’s death, but also of her admiration for Charles.
In an interview to promote her new historical fiction book “A Most Intriguing Lady,” Sarah said OK! magazine: ‘I have known both the king and the queen’s consort since childhood.
“I think when you look at the King’s track record in areas like the environment, where he was decades ahead of his time, and the Prince’s Trust, it’s clear what an extraordinary man he is and how lucky we are to have to have him on the throne. .
“I also admire the way the Queen Consort has worked tirelessly in areas such as literacy and domestic violence.”
While speaking to Royal Central to promote her new book, Sarah also revealed that she is considering writing another autobiography.
Fergie has already written two memoirs of her own: My Story, published in 1996, just months after her divorce from Andrew was finalized, and Finding Sarah in 2011, which came after another period of financial woes.
Any new autobiography will likely cover more recent years, including the period surrounding Andrew’s very public fall from grace.
Despite the couple being separated for almost 30 years, they would still remain best friends and live together.
Sarah, Duchess of York, recently went on a publicity tour to promote her new historical fiction book ‘A Most Intriguing Lady’. She is pictured talking in New York on March 6
Andrew is also rumored to be considering printing his own side of recent events, but sources close to the disgraced king have denied this.
Yesterday, Buckingham Palace ended months of speculation when it confirmed that Harry will be a guest at Westminster Abbey despite his troubled relationship with his family, although Meghan will remain in the US and miss Charles’ big day.
The king’s second son, who moved to California after stepping down as a senior working royal, is currently taking legal action against the Home Office over his security arrangements in the UK.
More than 2,000 guests will gather at the abbey on May 6 to witness the country’s first coronation in 70 years, with foreign dignitaries including First Lady Jill Biden.
Sarah, Duchess of York (centre) with Jack Brooksbank (left) and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (right) at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral at Westminster Abbey in London on September 19, 2022
A massive police force will be present in the streets of central London, while well-wishers flock to the capital to watch the King, Camilla and the Royal Family take part in a grand carriage procession and appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Harry’s stay in the UK will be short-lived and the Duke will soon return to California to attend Prince Archie’s fourth birthday celebrations, which coincide with coronation day.
The Duke will only attend the ceremony and will not take part in any other coronation festivities over the three-day bank holiday weekend.
A concert will be held at Windsor Castle on Sunday 7 May, also encouraging people to gather around the country for a Coronation Big Lunch, while Monday 8 May will focus on a Big Help Out charity drive.