The Duchess of York, also known as Fergie by friends and fans, described her late father-in-law Prince Philip as “terrifying” while recalling her relationship with the Iron Duke. Appearing on Alan Carr’s Life’s A Beach podcast, Sarah was asked if the late Duke of Edinburgh, who died in April 2021, was a wise man.
The ex-wife of Prince Andrew replied: “Very wise. You had to be on your best. If you asked a silly comment, you were certainly told it was a silly comment. Terrifying.
“‘Why are you asking me that? I do it every day. Why are you asking me that?’
“Ugh! Then you lose all your confidence. ‘Did you go driving today?’ ‘Car or horse?’ ‘Oh, God, sorry. Yes’.”
Sarah also shared a piece of advice given to her by Philip. She recalled: “‘Remember Sarah, you’ve got to be electable but never elected’. Nice. Resonates, right?”
After intimate pictures showing financial advisor John Bryan and Sarah holidaying together were published in British newspapers in the summer of 1992, the late Duke reportedly stopped speaking to his daughter-in-law.
The photographs were published as Fergie was spending time with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at Balmoral Castle, and the then-royal wife reportedly had to suffer a humiliating breakfast during which her in-laws poured over the news.
In 2021, royal commentator Camilla Tominey wrote in the Telegraph about the toll the incident had taken on Fergie’s mental health.
The journalist reported Sarah saying: “It was so bad that I believed I was this worthless human being. I thought maybe Prince Philip was right.”
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Prince Philip’s anger remained so intense for years that he reportedly could not be in the same room as Sarah.
The ice between Sarah and the late monarch started to thaw a few decades later, and Fergie was slowly reintroduced to the royal circle by being allowed back to the royal box at Royal Ascot and hosted by the late Queen at Balmoral Castle in the summer.
However, the Duchess was often seen leaving the Scottish residence before the arrival of Prince Philip, a sign the Duke may not be on the same page as his wife on Sarah.
Nevertheless, Philip and Sarah come together in October 2018, when they attended the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.
The Duchess of York divorced from Prince Andrew in 1996 but remained close to her ex-husband for the sake of their daughters.
In a recent interview with the Telegraph, the Duchess spoke candidly about how warm her relationship with Elizabeth II had returned to be in the Queen’s late years.
Sarah said she had “always admired and adored” her ex-mother-in-law and claimed Elizabeth II was “very relieved” Fergie could help her with Prince Andrew over the past few turmoiled years for the Duke of York.
Asked if the Queen was confident Sarah would be there for Andrew even after her death, the Duchess replied: “She knew. I will always be there. Always. Because I love her.”
