'Brutal reason' Sarah Ferguson could 'distance from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor' amid 'fractured' relationship
The former couple were last seen together at the Duchess of Kent's funeral last September
Sarah Ferguson has stepped further out of the public eye as her ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, continues to face mounting scrutiny, with insiders suggesting the former couple’s long-standing “partnership” may now be effectively over.
After more than 18 years of living together following their divorce, the pair have now gone their separate ways. Andrew reportedly resides at Marsh Farm on the Sandringham estate, while Sarah is understood to have no permanent royal residence.
Once famously described as the “happiest divorced couple in the world,” their relationship now appears markedly different.
Sarah Ferguson may ‘distance’ herself from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Royal biographer Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, has suggested the shift reflects a deeper breakdown behind the scenes.
“They were kind of joined together, them against the world. That’s now clearly fractured,” he said. “I think she feels that he’s toxic and that he’s going to destroy her branding opportunities, so it’s time to go off on her own.”
His comments speculate that Sarah may be attempting to protect her public image and work opportunities by keeping a distance from her former husband’s ongoing controversies.
Royal editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, Ingrid Seward, also pointed to what she described as a decline in personal respect within the relationship.
“He embarrassed her with the way he spoke to people, and I think she lost respect for him,” she told HELLO!. “She is very charming and would never speak down to someone she considered her inferior. Andrew did, and she hated that. He was very unsophisticated.”
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Despite their separation, the former couple were still seen together on several family occasions in recent months.
They were last pictured side-by-side at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral, at Westminster Cathedral in September 2025. Both also attended the christening of their granddaughter Athena at St James’s Palace in December.
For years, Sarah and Andrew maintained an unusual living arrangement at Royal Lodge in Windsor. However, earlier this year, Andrew formally left Royal Lodge and relocated to the Sandringham estate, ending the shared household arrangement.
Sarah and Andrew allegations
Sarah has also been under scrutiny surrounding her past association with Jeffrey Epstein. In January, materials linked to Epstein were released by the US government. They included emails allegedly between Sarah and the disgraced financier.
In one alleged message from 2009, she was said to have described Epstein as “the brother I have always wished for.”
At the same time, Andrew himself continues to face scrutiny over his own connections to Epstein. He was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. This came from allegations that he had shared sensitive and confidential information with Epstein in 2010 while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. He was released under investigation shortly after his arrest.
Speculation has also grown that Sarah could consider a public interview or memoir addressing her past. However, royal commentators have warned that this could carry serious consequences.
Ingrid Seward cautioned against such a move. “If she does a book or a tell-all interview, she will be cutting herself off from everyone and potentially ruining her children’s lives, which is one thing she would not do,” she told The Mirror.
“I’m sure they’re telling her to keep quiet and lie low.”
She added, however, that Sarah has historically shown resilience.
“She lands on her feet, but she’s often fought hard to do so. I think she will be okay in the long run.”
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