Sarah Ferguson’s skin cancer diagnosis came as a “shock” for a heart-wrenching reason, a royal expert has claimed.
The Duchess of York sent shockwaves around the world on Sunday, January 21 after her spokesperson confirmed that she had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, which was discovered during her treatment for breast cancer.
Fergie, as she is known to family and friends, bravely spoke about her diagnosis as she thanked well-wishers and medical staff for the outpouring of support she has received.
She wrote on Instagram: “I have been taking some time to myself as I have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, my second cancer diagnosis within a year after I was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer and underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
“It was thanks to the great vigilance of my dermatologist that the melanoma was detected when it was.
“Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock but I’m in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support.”
But now a royal expert claimed there is a very particular reason the Duchess’s second diagnosis hit her so hard and that’s because her late father, Major Ronald Ferguson, was diagnosed with the same type of skin cancer.
Ronald, otherwise known as “the Galloping Major” died of a heart attack in 2003.
According to Jennie Bond, Prince Andrew’s ex-wife will now be familiar with the process after “having watched her father go through it”.
She told OK!: “She must be scared and with good reason.
“But Fergie is nothing if not a fighter. She’s proved that time and time again.
“She’s already shown she’s going to be as positive as possible about this and use it, as with breast cancer, for the greater good and to encourage others to get checked.”
The expert also touched down on the royal’s bond with her father, saying it was “ironclad”.
She explained: “Sarah and her father were cut from the same cloth – ebullient, social characters with a tendency to land themselves in hot water from time to time.
“Because her mother left home, Sarah was naturally close to him. Through thick and thin, they supported one another through all manner of crises and embarrassment.
“And as he suffered both prostate and skin cancer, the Duchess knows only too well the emotional and physical journey that may lie ahead for her.”
