Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew on their July 23, 1986 wedding day.Photo:Bettmann Archive
Bettmann Archive
Sarah Fergusonis looking back at the magic of herroyal weddingday.
The Duchess of York, who is popularly known as Fergie, reflected on the theme of belief in the latest episode of her podcastTea Talks with the Duchess and Sarahand brought up the faith she felt when she marriedPrince Andrewin 1986. The couple went on to welcome daughtersPrincess BeatriceandPrincess Eugenieand divorced in 1996 after a decade of marriage.
Noting how happy she looked when she tied the knot, co-host Sarah Thomson asked Fergie if she had any nerves.
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew on their July 23, 1986 wedding day.Tom Stoddart/Getty Images
Tom Stoddart/Getty Images
“Like every bride is always nervous, I don’t know why… when I came down the stairs from Clarence House, where I spent the night before, everyone is going ‘Fergie! Fergie!’ on the streets. When I came down the stairs, there was my father at the bottom of the stairs,” the author ofA Most Intriguing Ladysaid of the crowds that came out to see her.
The Duchess of York traveled to the abbey with her fatherRonald Ferguson, who was the longtime polo manager forPrince PhilipandKing Charles. Fergie’s father died in 2003, and Princess Eugenieused his nickname(Ronnie) as a middle name for her sonErnest, born in May.
Fondly recalling the fairytale feeling of her wedding day, Fergie said, “It was one of those moments… I was watchingCinderellawith the girls the other day,Ella Enchanted. I did that! I had that moment, and Dad was at the bottom.”
Sarah Ferguson and her father Ronald on the way to her wedding at Westminster Abbey on July 23, 1986.John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images
John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images
Though she was on her way to marry one ofQueen Elizabeth’s sons, the Duchess teased that there’s no protocol for such a moment.
“We got in our glass coach and Dad said to me, ‘What do we do now?’ and I said, ‘I don’t know, I’ve never done this before!’ and he said, “While nor have I!’ ”, she added with a laugh. “We just got on with it, and when we went into the abbey, we just got on with it. I was totally in love with my handsome prince, so there you have it.”
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew on their July 23, 1986 wedding day.Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Though they divorced decades ago, Fergie has continued to support Prince Andrew despite his step back from public duties when his affiliation withJeffrey Epsteincame to light. In January 2022, the day after a judge rejected Prince Andrew’s attempt to haveVirginia Giuffre’ssexual assault lawsuit against him dismissed, Buckingham Palace announced that Queen Elizabeth hadstripped her sonof his military titles and patronages. The Duke of York would no longer undertake public engagements as a working royal or use the “His Royal Highness” styling.
Prince Andrew has denied any wrongdoing and settled with Giuffre out of court in February 2022. Some of his former military appointments wererecently redistributedto other members of the royal family, includingKate MiddletonandSophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
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Royals on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at Trooping the Colour in June 2023.Chris Jackson/Getty
Chris Jackson/Getty
On Aug. 11, Buckingham Palace and King Charles announced that Princess Kate was taking over as Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, and named Sophie as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Irish Regiment, among other new military appointments awarded to the King,Queen Camilla,Prince William,Prince Edward,Princess Anne,Prince RichardandBirgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester.
Speaking out in support of her former spouse onGood Morning Britainearlier this year, Fergie said, “With Prince Andrew, he’s such a good man. 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.
source: people.com
