Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, is reportedly preparing to leave the UK for a new life in Portugal, a move that royal experts believe signals the definitive end of her unique relationship with ex-husband Prince Andrew.
The Royal Eviction and Separate Paths
This development comes as both Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew face eviction from their long-term home, the Royal Lodge. While Andrew is expected to move into a property on the Sandringham estate in the new year, Ferguson's plans point towards a more significant geographical and emotional distance.
Rumours indicate she will relocate to the oceanfront £3.6 million mansion in Melides, Portugal, owned by her daughter, Princess Eugenie, and son-in-law Jack Brooksbank. The couple purchased the luxurious property at the Costa Terra Golf and Ocean Club resort back in May 2022, where Brooksbank is employed.
Expert Analysis on a Fractured Bond
Jennie Bond, the former BBC royal correspondent, states that this potential move abroad speaks volumes about the current status of Ferguson and Andrew's relationship. "I am surprised that it seems Sarah and Andrew are now going their separate ways," Bond told the Mirror. "I thought they were joined at the hip, even though no longer in a romantic relationship."
Bond highlighted Ferguson's previous fierce loyalty, noting she had defended Andrew "even in the face of the most sordid allegations." The expert suggested that the distance may indicate a shift, pondering, "Perhaps she no longer believes him, or perhaps Andrew now wants to be on his own."
The Shadow of Scandal and a Family's Support
The couple's exile from royal life and their Grade II-listed Windsor home is a direct consequence of the ongoing controversy surrounding their connections to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
While Andrew's association has been headline news for years, a resurfaced email from 2011 revealed Ferguson had called Epstein a "supreme friend," despite her public denouncements of him. This has further damaged her public image, which Jennie Bond believes is now seemingly beyond repair in the UK.
Despite the public scrutiny on their parents, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have reportedly been offering private support. Bond defended the family, stating, "Whatever else you say about Sarah and, indeed Andrew, they have been good parents who have somehow created a very strong and unified household despite their divorce."
She sees the move to Eugenie's Portuguese home as a logical step for Ferguson, offering "a beautiful place, a loving daughter and space to call her own." With the property only occupied part-time by Eugenie and Jack, it provides an ideal sanctuary far from the relentless British media spotlight.
