As King Charles III prepares for his inaugural Christmas as monarch, he has extended a historic invitation to Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, to join the royal family's celebrations at Sandringham.
If accepted, this gesture would mark Fergie's return to the royal Christmas table after an absence of three decades.
Royal biographer Phil Dampier suggests that King Charles' invitation serves as an olive branch to his brother, a gesture that would not have been possible during the lifetime of Prince Philip. Dampier notes, "This seems like an olive branch from King Charles to his brother. He is still a member of the family, and by inviting his ex-wife Fergie, it seems like Charles is being conciliatory."
During Prince Philip's lifetime, Sarah Ferguson was kept at a distance, spending Christmases alone at Wood Farm while the rest of the royal family gathered at The Big House. The recent invitation signals a change in dynamics, especially since Prince Andrew was stripped of royal duties following the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sc--dal.
Fergie's estrangement from the royal family began in 1992, exacerbated by a sc--dal involving photos of her with "financial advisor" John Bryan. Prince Philip, her most vocal critic, deemed her actions "beyond the pale." However, journalist Robert Jobson suggests that King Charles' invitation reflects a spirit of forgiveness and family values, mirroring the Queen's reconciliation with Sarah before her passing.
The Sun reports that King Charles and Sarah Ferguson had a positive relationship in the past. The queen had even gifted Charles a diamond tiara to wear at his wedding to Andrew in 1986. According to Jobson, Fergie's adaptability to royal life earned her admiration from King Charles, who reportedly appreciated her more than Princess Diana.
Despite the pressures and challenges they faced, Fergie and Princess Diana shared a close friendship. Fergie reflected on their bond, stating, "She and I were the only two who really understood what she was like in the '80s. The pressure was fierce, and yet together, the two of us were powerful."
The death of Prince Philip in 2021 paved the way for a potential revival of relations within the royal family. Sarah Ferguson, along with Prince Andrew, their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, and grandchildren, was invited to spend the summer at Balmoral. She was also granted access to the Windsor archives for her research on the novel "Her Heart For A Compass."
Despite past controversies, Sarah's loyalty and support for Prince Andrew during challenging times earned her appreciation from Queen Elizabeth II and now from King Charles III. Stripped of royal patronages and military titles, Prince Andrew currently lives in relative isolation from official affairs.
