Sarah Ferguson is said to be in a deeply troubling state, with friends admitting the former Duchess of York feels “broken,” hunted, and financially desperate following the dramatic arrest of her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The 66-year-old royal exile — who has not been seen in public for more than five months — is now reportedly considering abandoning plans to remain near Windsor and instead looking toward the United Arab Emirates as a possible last financial refuge.
According to sources, Fergie believes “everyone is out to get her” as the fallout from Andrew’s arrest continues to engulf the Royal Family.
‘In a Bad Way’ and Fearing What Comes Next
Friends speaking privately have described Sarah as being “in a bad way,” both emotionally and mentally, since Andrew was arrested at Sandringham in an early-morning police operation. One insider said she has been telling those close to her that she is suffering with her mental health and feels relentlessly targeted.
Although she has apparently ruled out publishing a tell-all memoir about the Royal Family’s ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, sources warn that may not be the end of it.
“She might end up having to tell that story to the police,” one friend said — and possibly “to a judge and jury.”
Companies Closing, Daughters ‘In a State’
This week it also emerged that six of Sarah Ferguson’s companies are due to be wound down within days, adding to the sense that her financial world is collapsing.
Meanwhile, her daughters — Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie — are said to be “in a state” following their father’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Andrew, who turned 66 on the day of his arrest, spent 11 hours in police custody after officers swooped on Wood Farm at Sandringham. He was later released under investigation.
Police activity has since continued at multiple royal-linked properties, with officers returning to the Norfolk address in the early hours and vehicles seen entering Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Silence, Disappearances — And Growing Questions
Neither Sarah nor her daughters have issued any public statement. Their absence has only fuelled questions about where they are — and what they know.
Fergie was last photographed publicly on September 25 last year, being driven out of Royal Lodge. Since then, she is believed to have kept an extremely low profile, spending time with friends in the French Alps before travelling to the Gulf region.
She has also reportedly been with Princess Eugenie, who has been in the Middle East for work, including attending an art fair in Doha as part of her role with Hauser & Wirth.
Epstein Fallout Still Haunts Her
Sarah’s attempt to retreat from the spotlight comes as renewed scrutiny surrounds her historic links to Epstein. Newly released files revealed that he secretly bankrolled her for around 15 years, beginning in 1996 — the same year she divorced Andrew.
Emails showed her repeatedly chasing Epstein for financial help, far beyond the £15,000 she once publicly admitted receiving. She also remained in contact with him even after his conviction for sex offences involving children — and notoriously took her daughters to lunch with him just days after his release from prison.
In private correspondence, she later apologised to Epstein for publicly condemning him, telling him she had only done so to protect her career as a children’s author — and praising him as a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend.”
‘Her Brand Is Toxic’
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams was blunt in his assessment, warning that Sarah Ferguson has “no future” in public life.
“She’s shamed, her businesses are closed down, and no charity would touch her,” he said. “A great deal more will come out. We’re not at the end.”
He added that Andrew’s arrest represents an unprecedented moment for the monarchy — one that has caused “enormous concern at the Palace.”
Andrew is the first senior royal to be arrested in modern times. King Charles III was reportedly not given advance warning but has since pledged the Crown’s full co-operation with the investigation.
Thames Valley Police confirmed searches are ongoing at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk, stressing that the investigation remains active and subject to strict legal constraints.
A Royal Crisis Still Unfolding
Once described by Sarah as “the happiest divorced couple in the world,” she and Andrew continued living together at Royal Lodge for decades after their split. Now, that long-standing arrangement appears to be over — and the future remains painfully unclear.
For Sarah Ferguson, friends say, the fear is not just financial ruin — but what might still come out, who might ask questions, and whether the past she has tried to outrun will finally catch up with her.
Source: Adapted from reporting by Daily Mail
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