This year’s royal Christmas was special for more than one reason. While King Charles broke a tradition today by delivering his annual Christmas speech with an eco-friendly touch, the presence of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, also lovingly known as Fergie, after decades of absence also made the occasion special.
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, got back into the royal spotlight this year as she joined the royal family on their annual Christmas stroll to St Mary Magdalene’s church on the Sandringham estate. The 64-year-old Duchess returned after 30 years. Why was she gone for so long and why was she allowed to be at the royal eve this year?
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Why Is Sarah Ferguson Back To Royal Family Scene Now?
While many were left wondering what changed this year, some sources told Page Six that the mind behind this royal reunion is King Charles himself. King Charles is Fergie’s former brother-in-law, as she was married to his disgraced brother Prince Andrew.
King Charles reportedly extended a discreet invitation to Sarah, inviting her to attend Christmas lunch at the Norfolk estate in 2022. This was shortly after he ascended the throne from his mother after her death. However, Ferguson did not make an appearance last year.
But Sarah Ferguson chose this year to finally make a re-entry into the royal scene. She was seen walking to church services on Christmas Eve alongside Queen Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and a host of other royals.
If we look back at history, it was King Charles’ father, Prince Philip who had distanced Fergie from the rest of the royals after the drama that unfolded in the Duchess’s life — including her ex-husband’s ouster and their mutual divorce. Sarah endured the frosty relationship for years.
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Sarah Is Close To King Charles, Says Source
However, after Prince Philip passed away in 2021, she found renewed acceptance from the royals. Sources suggest that she has always been close to King Charles, while the other family members are also fond of her.
According to a palace insider, “Sarah has always been close to the King [Charles] and is fond of him, and she has increasingly grown closer to the Queen [Camilla].” The Duchess has shown her unwavering loyalty to the royal family as well as to Prince Andrew during his bad times. Fergie and Prince Andrew divorced in 1996 but have maintained a cordial relationship.
Fergie marked her re-entry into the royal scene dressed elegantly in a green coat and hairband. She seemed at ease as she interacted with well-wishers and greeted the crowds. She also took to Instagram to express her joy over attending the Christmas rituals. “We are enjoying each other’s company and feeling grateful today,” she wrote in the caption of her post.
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