How Princess Diana 'played matchmaker' for Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew
The pair later split in 1992
Do you know the story behind Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew’s romance? Well, apparently, Princess Diana played a huge part.
Today, we know that their relationship wasn’t exactly a love story for the books. In fact, after six years of marriage, the couple parted ways and were plagued by rumours of infidelity.
These days, Fergie and Andrew are said to be close friends and co-parents. But how did their relationship start?
Princess Diana ‘reintroduced’ Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew
According to reports, Princess Diana played matchmaker between the two.
The pair met at a polo match when they were just children. They were later reintroduced as adults by Princess Diana.
At the time, Diana was already married to Andrew’s older brother Prince Charles.
Diana and Fergie were pals, and the Princess of Wales decided to introduce Fergie to Andrew.
In a bid to seemingly encourage Andrew to settle down, Diana reportedly arranged for them to sit next to each other at a lunch at Ascot.
Apparently, the duo quickly got on like a house on fire.
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew’s reintroduction
In their engagement interview back in 1986, Andrew explained: “We were made to sit next door to each other at lunch at Ascot.”
Fergie added: “He made me eat chocolate profiteroles which I did not want to eat at all.”
Fergie was left unimpressed when the prince chose not to eat some of the sweet treats himself.
“I then didn’t have any. So I got hit. And it started from there,” Andrew joked.
A giggleing Fergie then admitted: “I was meant to be on a diet.”
The couple went on to marry on July 23, 1986.
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2011, Sarah Ferguson reflected on just how in love she was with Andrew in the early years.
Fergie on relationship with Prince Andrew
She said: “We had three dinner dates one weekend, and we got married. I absolutely worshipped him. We both were so in love.”
These days, Fergie insists they are still friends, despite Prince Andrew’s public downfall.
Prince Andrew’s fall from grace and subsequent stripping of his titles came after allegations of sexual assault by alleged Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre.
Andrew settled a civil lawsuit brought by Giuffre in 2022 for an undisclosed sum.
Fergie previously told Hello! magazine: “We work in unity and [ex-husband Prince] Andrew and I are focused on being good parents together. We are bigger than friends.
“We learn from each other, support each other and understand it’s about communication, compromise and compassion.”
Sarah, who shares two children, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, with Andrew, has publicly shown her support for her ex-husband, whom she describes as a “true gentleman”.
Read more: Inside Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s lavish wedding 39 years on after whirlwind romance
What do you think? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page and let us know.
