Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, is reportedly on the edge of a nervous breakdown amid escalating pressures tied to her ex-husband Prince Andrew's relinquishment of his royal titles and a swirling scandal involving their long-standing friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. At 66, Sarah faces a personal and public crisis unlike any before, as she navigates the fallout from renewed scrutiny on her family’s ties and her own controversial past associations.
Royal commentator Phil Dampier, in an exclusive statement to Woman’s Day, revealed that Sarah is in a fragile state, describing her as “on the edge of a nervous breakdown.” To support her during this difficult time, her elder sister Jane recently flew from Australia to be by her side in the UK. Those close to Sarah say she’s struggling to cope with the relentless backlash and the emotional toll of seeing both her own and Andrew’s reputations unravel.
The recent controversy erupted after an old email surfaced in which Sarah referred to Epstein as a “supreme friend,” contradicting her public stance of having severed ties with him. Several charities with which Sarah had long been affiliated, including The Allergy Foundation and Breast Cancer charities, have distanced themselves, calling it inappropriate for her to remain as a patron. The scandal has also dragged her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, into the limelight amid allegations of close proximity to Epstein during his lifetime.
Sources indicate that Sarah and Andrew still share a complicated bond, feeling scapegoated for past mistakes but acknowledging the consequences of their associations. The former couple now face an uncertain future, having voluntarily stepped back from public royal duties and titles, deepening their social exile.
Financial strains add to the stress, with Prince Andrew reportedly struggling to maintain the Royal Lodge mansion due to cash flow issues despite having a secure lease. Meanwhile, Sarah endures immense emotional distress, intensified by public judgment and family concerns.
This deeply personal crisis paints a stark portrait of the royal family’s internal struggles as they wrestle with loyalty, legacy, and survival amid relentless public and media scrutiny.
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