In a dramatic turn of events that has shocked royal watchers and insiders, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, is reportedly preparing to flee the UK for her daughter Princess Eugenie's luxurious £3.6 million seafront mansion in Portugal. Sources close to Ferguson reveal that this move is motivated by a desire to escape the intense scrutiny and fallout from recent scandals, including the ongoing Epstein controversy that has cast a long shadow over her public life.
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Ferguson, 66, has lived at the Royal Lodge with her ex-husband Prince Andrew since their divorce nearly three decades ago, but amid Andrew’s own fall from grace and loss of royal privileges, the couple is expected to live separately moving forward. While Andrew is said to be relocating to a property on King Charles's private Sandringham estate, Ferguson reportedly wants to carve out a more private and independent life away from the UK’s relentless media glare.
The Portuguese mansion, located at the Costa Terra Golf and Ocean Club in Melides—just 82 miles south of Lisbon—is owned by Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank. The estate is described as a serene retreat with seaside views, a beach club, spa, equestrian facilities, and access to a championship golf course, making it an ideal spot for Ferguson to regroup and find solace.
Neighbours have commented that the area already attracts several high-profile celebrities, including Madonna, Scarlett Johansson, and Nicole Kidman, suggesting Ferguson would blend into an exclusive yet discreet community. Reports suggest she may move in as early as January, with Eugenie having prepared a grand suite in the mansion especially for her mother.
Royal commentators see Ferguson’s planned move as a bid to distance herself from the scandals engulfing the British royal family, particularly the controversial resurfacing of historical emails linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Her PR team insists that the emails, which have reignited public interest and criticism, were sent under duress and do not reflect her character.
As Ferguson steps away from the UK spotlight and seeks refuge abroad, many see this as an attempt to preserve her dignity and start a new chapter far from the relentless media storms dogging the royal family.
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