Duchess of York Pioneers Royal Presence on Social Media Platform Amid Caution from Buckingham Palace
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has made a bold move by joining TikTok under the name "Sarah the Duchess (Fergie)," marking the first instance of a royal family member engaging with the platform. In her debut post, the 65-year-old shared a heartfelt video about her breast cancer journey, generating significant attention.
This step comes nearly a year after Sarah was welcomed back to royal events, attending Christmas at Sandringham with her ex-husband, Prince Andrew. Despite her TikTok venture, other members of the Royal Family appear hesitant to follow suit. Security concerns have kept Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace from embracing the platform, which was banned from government devices due to its Chinese ownership.
As Head of State, King Charles adheres to government guidelines, making it unlikely for the Palace to establish an official TikTok presence unless policies change. While the Royal Family remains active on platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, they have invited TikTok influencers to events to reach younger audiences.
The Duchess of York, not being a formal working royal, is not subject to the same restrictions as other family members. A spokesperson for Sarah explained that she joined TikTok to "connect with the next generation and amplify their voices," recognising the platform's popularity among young people.
Before launching her account, Sarah sought advice from her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Her team has taken steps to address digital safety, enlisting the cybersecurity firm CYPFER to ensure her online protection.
The Royal Family’s cautious approach contrasts with Sarah’s willingness to explore new ways of connecting, positioning her as a trailblazer in adapting to the evolving digital landscape.
