Sarah Ferguson making shock return to UK after public fallout
Sarah Ferguson making shock return to the UK is imminent, just days after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle flew back for an extended stay. The former Duchess of York, 66, is reportedly renting a six-bedroom home in the Home Counties after seven months largely out of public view.
The move marks a striking shift for Ferguson, who was last spotted in the Australian Alps in April. It also lands amid renewed scrutiny of her ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, over his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Key Takeaways
- Ferguson is "imminently" returning to the UK and could be settled in her new rental by Monday, per reports.
- She is renting a six-bedroom, three-bathroom home with a "granny annexe" in the Home Counties for about $8,000 per month.
- Her return comes days after Harry and Meghan landed in Britain for an extended period with their children.
- Ferguson previously lived at Royal Lodge with Andrew until he was stripped of royal titles and ordered to vacate.
- A rep for Ferguson did not immediately respond to Page Six's request for comment on Friday.
Why is Sarah Ferguson returning to the UK now?
According to the Sun, Ferguson has "had her eyes on a return for some time," but finding the right home took months. A source told the outlet that "now's the right time to get back to her life."
The insider added that with attention focused on Harry and Meghan, Ferguson believed she could "slip back under the radar after seven months away." Some of her belongings were picked up from Andrew's home in Sandringham this week.
The timing follows a period of upheaval. Andrew was arrested on his 66th birthday in February after documents surfaced detailing the former couple's links to convicted sex offender Epstein. He has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has not been charged, though he remains under suspicion of sharing confidential information with Epstein.
Where will Sarah Ferguson live after leaving Royal Lodge?
Ferguson had not needed to arrange her own housing for roughly 20 years while living with Andrew at Royal Lodge. That changed when he was officially stripped of his royal titles and ordered to leave the property amid the Epstein controversy.
She is now set to rent a six-bedroom, three-bathroom residence outside London in the Home Counties. The property includes a "granny annexe," according to the Sun. People reported the monthly rent at around $8,000.
Reports suggest Ferguson will likely be moved in by Monday. For more on royal moves and breaking celebrity developments, see our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
How does her return connect to Harry and Meghan's UK move?
Page Six confirmed on Aug. 19 that Ferguson relatives Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would return to Britain for an "extended period." The couple landed at Birmingham airport Wednesday after a private flight from California.
An insider told Page Six that King Charles III was informed of the Sussexes' plans and that the monarch, who announced a cancer diagnosis in 2024, "is the reason they are moving back." While Charles reportedly looks forward to having Harry and his family nearby, they remain "non-working members" of the royal family.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are expected to start school in the UK next week. The family reportedly received support from British hedge fund billionaire Ian Wace for the relocation, as Page Six reported.
Ferguson's quietly timed homecoming adds another layer to a week already dominated by the Sussexes' high-profile return and ongoing questions surrounding Andrew's legal situation.