Sarah Fergusonsays her ex-husbandPrince Andrewneeds to “rebuild” his life out of the spotlight.
Speaking onGood Morning Britainon Thursday, the Duchess of York spoke about her relationship with her former husband, whomade headlines worldwidewhen his affiliation with Jeffrey Epstein came to light in 2019. The royal has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Fergie said she thinks “it’s very important” that people “focus on what you do to bring others a bit of joy that are in less fortunate positions than yourself.”
“With Prince Andrew, he’s such a good man,” she said. “He’s a kind, good man, and I think the spotlight needs to come off of him and let him get on with his life to rebuild.”
“He’s a very good grandfather,” she added, referring to the children of their daughtersPrincess BeatriceandPrincess Eugenie.
In January 2022, the day after a judge in the U.S. rejected Andrew’s attempt to have Epstein tracking victimVirginia Giuffre’ssexual assault lawsuit against the prince dismissed, Buckingham Palace announced thatQueen Elizabethhadstripped her sonof his military titles and patronages. The Duke of York would no longer undertake public engagements as a working royal. About a month later, Andrew and Giuffree reached anout-of-court settlement.
Prince Andrew has continued to join the royals at family events such as Christmas.
While Prince Andrew is expected to attendKing CharlesandQueen Camilla’s coronation on May 6, Fergie wasnot invitedto the crowning ceremony.
“It’s a state occasion and being divorced, I don’t think you can have it both ways,” the Duchess of York said onGood Morning Britain.
Ray Tang/LNP/Shutterstock; Alexander Koerner/Getty Images
She added, “Just because I’m not there on the state occasion, in private I can be there, and that’s a lovely feeling to be part of the family.”
Fergie has been included in other family occasions with the royals like the gathering at Easter earlier this month and their Christmas holiday at Sandringham House in Norfolk.
Although Fergiewon’t attend the crowning, she willjoin the royal family at the Coronation Concertthe following day. She will be in the VIP section of the 20,000-strong crowd watching theconcert— starringLionel RichieandKaty Perry— on the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 7, PEOPLE confirmed.
It underlines the family nature of the event as opposed to the formal, state occasion of the service that will see King Charles and Queen Camilla crowned.
Fergie has shared how she will be spending the coronation instead.
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While recently speaking to PEOPLE about her historical fiction novelA Most Intriguing Lady, the Duchess of York said she looked forward to celebrating King Charles andQueen Camillafor their coronation.
“I’mvery supportiveof the King and the Queen Consort, and I really am glad to do whatever it takes to support them on their road ahead,” she said.
source: people.com
