Sarah Ferguson paid tribute to her ‘dear friend’ the late Queen today on what would have been her birthday – but royal fans were quick to spot a blunder in her post.
The Duchess of York, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II’s son Prince Andrew between 1986 and 1996, was a close friend of the late monarch, who died in September 2022.
Fergie shared a smiling photo of the late queen in an Instagram post, but fans were quick to point out a simple mistake she made in her accompanying tribute.
The Duchess, 64, wrote: ‘Today we remember Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on what would have been her 97th birthday.
“Thank you for all you have taught us, for being a steadfast leader and dear friend. You are greatly missed.”
Sarah Ferguson paid tribute to her ‘dear friend’ the late Queen today on what would have been her birthday – but royal fans were quick to spot a blunder in her post
Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926, meaning today would have been her 98th birthday, rather than her 97th – as Fergie had written.
One person said: ‘She would have been 98. My father was born the same year, 1926.”
Another added: ‘From 1926 to 2024 there should be 98.’
However, others defended the Duchess, insisting it was a typo.
One woman said: ‘To all those correcting Sarah Ferguson, I’m sure she knows exactly how old HM Queen Elizabeth would have been. It could only be a typo.”
Sarah was known to have had a close relationship with the late queen, even after she divorced Prince Andrew in 1996 after a decade of marriage.
She previously described the late monarch as her “total idol.”
It comes after the Duchess thanked a fan for their ‘cherished’ support in a heartwarming handwritten note following her cancer diagnosis.
Fergie shared a smiling photo of the late queen in an Instagram post, but fans were quick to point out a simple mistake she made in her accompanying tribute
It comes after the Duchess thanked a fan for their ‘cherished’ support in a heartwarming handwritten note following her cancer diagnosis
The Duchess of York replied to a message of support with an adorable illustrated card featuring corgis wearing crowns, dog collars and beds, as well as bones and tennis balls
The Duchess of York replied to a message of support with an adorable illustrated card showing corgis wearing crowns, dog collars and beds, as well as bones and tennis balls.
It also included a photo of Prince Andrew’s ex-wife lying in the grass with the late Queen Elizabeth’s royal pups – which she cared for.
Instagram account @theroyalmailboxwho shares their correspondence with royals and socialites, posted a photo of the exchange.
“I received this lovely response from Sarah, Duchess of York, regarding her cancer diagnosis,” the caption read. ‘This card is double-sided.’
The card was sent on February 3 and the poster received a response on April 11.
The sweet message comes as the royal family has been dealing with health problems, with Sarah, King Charles III and the Princess of Wales all undergoing cancer treatment.
Sarah herself was diagnosed with skin cancer just a few months after a mastectomy for breast cancer. Pictured last month
Sarah was known to have had a close relationship with the late Queen, even after she divorced Prince Andrew in 1996 after a decade of marriage
In January, the Duchess revealed that she was diagnosed with skin cancer just months after having a mastectomy for breast cancer.
Last month, the mother of Princess Beatrice and Eugenie said she was “full of admiration” for Kate Middleton for revealing her diagnosis.
Taking to social media, Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, known as Fergie, paid tribute to the mother-of-three, saying “everyone is praying for her.”
Sarah Ferguson has previously described the late monarch as her ‘total idol’
In a sincere way Instagram In a statement, the Duchess said: ‘All my thoughts and prayers are with the Princess of Wales as she begins her treatment.
“I know she will be surrounded by the love of her family and everyone is praying for the best outcome.
“As someone who has experienced her own battle with cancer in recent months, I am in awe of the way she has spoken publicly about her diagnosis.”