Sarah Ferguson has been seen in public for the first time in seven months, and a royal expert says her appearance sends a clear message. The former Duchess of York was photographed at a luxury Austrian ski resort, wearing a baseball cap and glasses in an attempt to remain incognito.
Low-Key Appearance Amid Scandal
Ferguson has kept a low profile since becoming embroiled in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Reporters had been searching for her for months before she was finally located at a £2,000-a-night resort in Austria. The Sun published images of her wearing a baseball cap and spectacles as she moved around the alpine village.
Her whereabouts had been a mystery since she was repeatedly named in documents released by the US Department of Justice relating to the convicted sex offender. The Austrian chalet has been described as having everything needed for a lengthy stay.
Expert Analysis
On the Daily Mail's Palace Confidential podcast, Editor-at-Large Richard Kay said Ferguson's emergence sent a message that she wanted to stay under the radar. He noted that she was photographed getting out of a large vehicle with blacked-out windows and did not look like the Fergie we are familiar with, with her red hair covered and wearing spectacles. He described her appearance as 'rather dowdy' and said she clearly did not want to draw attention to herself.
Family Support
Martin Barrantes, Ferguson's cousin-by-marriage, told the Daily Mail that he has spoken to her recently. He said she wants to protect her children and grandchildren and is going through a difficult moment. He expressed support for her, adding that she was perhaps foolish to trust Epstein and regrets it now.
The Mirror previously reported that Ferguson has not contacted any member of the Royal Family since she and her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were stripped of their royal titles. A friend said she is living in fear and not immune to everything happening.
Ferguson became involved in the Epstein scandal last September when it emerged she had remained in contact with him despite publicly disowning him. In documents released in January, she appeared to say in an email to Epstein: 'I am at your service. Just marry me.'
