Sarah Ferguson has been embroiled in several scandals since joining the Royal Family. The former Duchess of York lost her title and her home over her and her ex-husband’s links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. But controversies surrounding the ex-duchess started years ago, a royal expert said.
The author of the explosive biography ‘Entitled: The Rise and Fall Of The House of York’ appeared on a Sky News podcast speaking of a “whole series” of problems “created” by Sarah Ferguson for the Royal Family. In particular, Andrew Lownie highlighted three issues surrounding trips, using staff when staying with people, and meals in the middle of the night. He explained: “She began to take advantage of her position, she became less popular, not just with the press but with the palace staff. She would go off on trips with charities she was involved in, but stay much longer than she was supposed to. She would go and stay with people and she would have staff there…”
He also added: “She would come back late at night from parties and expect staff to rustle up a meal for her at midnight. Staff who had been working at six in the morning.”
At the time, the then-Prince Andrew was serving in the Royal Navy. The expert explained: “When he came back at weekends, he was tired, he wanted to play golf or watch TV, and she [Sarah Ferguson] wanted to party.” The author added they were “incompatible characters.”
He added it escalated when she was caught with her financial lover, John Bryan, when he was sucking her toes by the side of a swimming pool in 1992 in France – photos which were published in newspapers.
Speaking on a Sky News podcast in September 2025, Mr Lownie said: “It was clear this was a sexual relationship, her children were there, and the Queen felt this didn’t look very good.”
The intimate pictures, shot with a telephoto lens as the couple lazed by the pool, showed Texan millionaire John Bryan kissing and sucking the Duchess’s toes and the arch of her foot.
Mr Lownie added: She [Sarah] wanted the high-life and I think she thought when she married Andrew she was going to get it. When she found out it wasn’t quite like that she began to be attracted to people who could provide it.”
Andrew and Sarah divorced in May 1996, following their separation announcement in March 1992. Although they remained close friends and co-parents, they continued to live together at Royal Lodge.
