Sad reason Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson was not invited to Prince Philip's funeral
She wasn't invited to the service at St George's ChapelSarah Ferguson was not invited to Prince Philip’s funeral, despite supporting the late Queen every day following his death.
Sarah – referred to as ‘Fergie’ – had been supporting Queen Elizabeth II with visits and garden walks following the passing of her husband of 73 years. However, she wasn’t there for the day itself which was televised around the world on April 17, 2021.
The real reason behind Sarah Ferguson not being invited to Prince Philip’s funeral is heartbreaking.
Prince Philip’s funeral
The Duke of Edinburgh was laid to rest on April 17, 2021, eight days after he died from ‘old age’. It came weeks after his longest-ever hospital stay of 28 days for treatment due to a pre-existing heart condition.
Queen Elizabeth II was reportedly by his side when he died, at 99 years old, after his heartbreaking confession of not wanting to live to 100.
His funeral took place at Windsor’s St George’s Chapel, with his coffin carried by a custom Land Rover, playing tribute to his love for the vehicle. He had personally selected the custom car due to his involvement and passion with the design.
The Queen’s final words to her husband lay on top in a handwritten note addressed to Britain’s longest-serving prince consort.
The service was led by the Dean of Windsor and Archbishop of Canterbury and broadcast live on TV.
Who attended Prince Philip’s funeral?
Aside from the late Queen herself, several other royal family members attended the funeral, including the now King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Harry and Kate Middleton.
His grandchildren, Peter Philips, Zara Tindall and her husband Mike, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie and their partners Edoardo and Jack, were also invited. Prince Andrew and Edward and Edward’s wife Sophie, were there on the day, as well as their children Lady Louise and Viscount Severn.
Philip’s cousins, the Duke of Gloucester, Duke of Kent, and Princess Alexandra were seen at St George’s Chapel.
Read more: ‘Why’ Meghan Markle didn’t join Prince Harry at Prince Philip’s funeral amid ‘bad taste’ gesture
Further, the Duke’s nephew Earl of Snowdon, niece Lady Sarah and her husband Daniel Chatto came along, including his great-nephews the Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and the Hereditary Prince of Baden. Lastly, Philip’s third cousin Landgrave of Hesse and first cousin-in-law the Countess Mountbatten of Burma travelled over for the big day.
But there was one royal who was not invited to Prince Philip’s funeral – Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew.
Fergie missed out on invitation
The heartbreaking reason Sarah Ferguson wasn’t invited to Prince Philip’s funeral was down to the strict Covid-19 restrictions in place at the time. Only 30 people were allowed to attend services, and numbers were limited.
Instead, she remained at the family home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor and looking after her new grandson, August, according to Hello magazine.
Sarah became a grandmother for the first time in February 2021, when Princess Eugenie gave birth to her first child with husband Jack Brooksbank.
At the time, the family were living at Frogmore Cottage, the former UK residence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The property is close to Royal Lodge, which Sarah still shares with Andrew.
Did Prince Philip like Sarah Ferguson?
The late Queen was fond of Fergie, but Prince Philip wanted her out of the fold, according to sources.
Royal author Jane Dismore spoke about their reported feud on the podcast, The Firm: Blood, Lies and Royal Succession. She claimed Prince Philip disliked Sarah Ferguson before she tied the knot with Prince Andrew.
Jane said: “She’s the one person that Prince Philip would not have anything to do with. He didn’t like Fergie – she knew that she wasn’t welcome when Prince Philip was around”.
Whereas commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, who spoke to one of the courtiers, added: “She hadn’t an idea of what being royal really meant. It wasn’t just the awful lapses of judgement. It was an attitude to royal life”.
Duchess of York supporting the Queen
Sarah Ferguson did not attend Prince Philip’s funeral, but was supporting the Queen following his death.
Royal sources claimed Sarah and Andrew were both by the monarch’s side after the death of her husband of seven decades.
Speaking to The Sun, a source said: “They have been going on short walks around the gardens with the Queen and her corgis.
“Sarah’s very much in the fold now that the Duke of Edinburgh has gone.”
Read more: Why Prince Philip’s will was sealed for 90 years after his death
They added: “The Queen has always had a soft spot for Sarah and regards her as an excellent mother.”
Sadly it meant Covid restrictions prevented her from giving much-needed support to the former monarch on a heartbreaking day. Millions tuned in to pay respects to the Duke of Edinburgh, and witnessed a tragic photo of the late Queen sitting alone as she mourned her husband.
What do you think of this story? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @RoyalInsiderOfficial.
