Sarah Ferguson Looks Back on Her Own Marriage Journey as She Watches the Next Generation Wed
Prince William and Catherine's wedding enchanted royal fans with its grandeur, but for Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, it was a poignant reminder of her own story. Watching the couple’s Westminster Abbey ceremony from afar, Ferguson, who was not invited, found herself reflecting on the whirlwind romance and challenges she faced during her own royal journey.
As Catherine, then an “ordinary” young woman, transformed into a future queen, Ferguson experienced a deep wave of “regret” for her path from a young bride to a Duchess whose marriage ended in scandal.
The Duchess, now 65, had known Prince Andrew since childhood, meeting again years later when Princess Diana arranged an introduction at a 1985 Royal Ascot event. A fast romance ensued, leading to a proposal in Scotland the following year. The couple married at Westminster Abbey in a much-celebrated ceremony, with the public embracing Ferguson, the new 25-year-old Duchess.
Reflecting on William and Catherine’s wedding, Ferguson shared in an interview, “I was that bride, and at 25 years old, I went down the aisle of Westminster Abbey.” She expressed a desire to reassure her younger self, saying, “If I, being me now, could go back to that young girl, I would say, ‘You don’t need to seek everyone’s approval. I love you – myself, that is.’”
Ferguson’s marriage to Andrew, once filled with joy as they welcomed their daughters, encountered strain due to Andrew’s demanding Naval schedule. In her memoir Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself, she wrote, “You can’t build a foundation without the bricks and mortar of togetherness and communication.”
Their 1992 separation marked a difficult year for the royal family, with their divorce finalised in 1996. Yet the two remained close, cohabiting at Royal Lodge. Ferguson described their relationship as, “We’re divorced to each other, not from each other,” capturing the enduring friendship they maintained beyond the end of their marriage.
