Sarah Ferguson has paid a lovely tribute to the late Queen on the first anniversary of her passing.
The Duchess of York, 63, described her former mother-in-law as a “great friend, mentor and second mother” in a touching Instagram post.
Sarah, who was married for ten years to the Queen’s “favourite son,” Prince Andrew, shared a sweet photo of the late monarch in her childhood.
“You were a wonderful friend, a mentor, a second mother to me and a grandmother to my daughters who share so much of your courage and heart.
“You will always be loved and missed by our family and our nation,” she wrote.
Sarah, whose name is Fergie, often talks about her close relationship with the Queen.
Sarah Ferguson has paid a lovely tribute to the late Queen on the first anniversary of her passing
In tribute to her former mother-in-law last year after her death, she praised the Queen as a “superb example of duty, service and fortitude.”
She personally thanked the Queen for being “the most incredible mother-in-law and friend,” adding, “I will always be grateful to her for the generosity she showed me by staying close to me even after my divorce.” ‘
Sarah Ferguson continues to live at the Royal Lodge in Windsor with her estranged husband Prince Andrew.
Following the news of the Queen’s death, Fergie wrote: “I am heartbroken by the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.
“She leaves an extraordinary legacy: the most magnificent example of duty, service and fortitude, and a constant, stable presence as our Head of State for more than 70 years.
“She has selflessly given her entire life to the people of Great Britain and the Commonwealth.
“She was the most incredible mother-in-law and friend to me. I will always be grateful to her for the generosity she showed me by staying close to me even after my divorce. I will miss her more than words can say.’
The Duchess of York, who divorced the Duke of York in 1996, has sparked a series of royal scandals over the years, but said the monarch was her “greatest mentor” and had always believed in her.
The Duchess of York, 63, described her former mother-in-law as a “great friend, mentor and second mother” in a touching Instagram post (pictured together in 1990)
Sarah, whose name is Fergie, often talks about her bond with the Queen (pictured together in the 1990s)
In her speech on the Tea with Twiggy podcast while promoting her Mills & Boon novel Her Heart For A Compass, the Duchess paid tribute to the Queen for being “modern, flexible and forgiving.”
Sarah compared their relationship to her own mother Susan Barrantes, who passed away in September 1998, saying, “I think to myself that my mother-in-law has been more of a mother to me than my mother, to be honest. ‘
She continued, “My greatest mentor and… person who believes in me is the Queen – and has never failed.
“I absolutely admire the incredible way Her Majesty is so modern… and how flexible, and how understanding, and how forgiving and how generous.”
Sarah is one of many royals to pay tribute.
Mike Tindall, 44, married to the Queen’s eldest granddaughter Zara, said Her Majesty was an “amazing woman” when he shared a video on Instagram showing pictures of her throughout her life.
Sarah Ferguson has paid tribute to her former mother-in-law, the Queen, after her death at the age of 96
The father of three joined his wife’s uncle, the King, and other members of the firm in paying tribute to Her Majesty who died a year ago today at Balmoral Castle.
In an unprecedented break from tradition, which shows how moved he has been by the country’s grief at her passing, but also by pride in a remarkable life of public duty, His Majesty recalled the “long life, devoted service of his mother and all she meant to so many.” us’.
Initially, Charles, 74, had planned to celebrate his mother’s death – and his own sad entry – in ‘quiet contemplation’ at home in Scotland.
In doing so, he would follow the same pattern that Queen Elizabeth had followed for seventy years, marking the death of her father, King George VI, at Sandringham in Norfolk, away from the public eye.
Mike Tindall paid a moving tribute to the Queen on the first anniversary of her death
But in recent weeks, he began to change his mind, as he was so deeply moved by the global outpouring of grief after his mother died on September 8 last year.
The King and Queen Camilla chose last night not to return to their own home in Birkhall on the Balmoral estate as planned, but to remain in the castle itself where Elizabeth died at the age of 96, surrounded by the glory of the Scottish Highlands she adored. .
They will remain there today, comforted by some of those closest to Her Majesty, and spend the night there too, before returning to their adjoining estate. A source said, “I think it will be a comfort to be surrounded by so much that was known to her.”
Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales will celebrate the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death with a small private service in Wales. William and Kate will visit St Davids Cathedral in St Davids, Britain’s smallest city, in Pembrokeshire, on Friday. They will also meet members of the local community at the adjoining monastery, including local people who met Elizabeth II on her visits to St Davids.