Sarah Ferguson: Expert says royal tried to 'use' Prince Andrew

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The Royal Family announced the 30 person guest list on Wednesday which will see some of Philip’s European relatives but not the ex-wife of Prince Andrew. Buckingham Palace said in a statement the Queen had been tasked with making difficult decisions to cut the guest list down due to the coronavirus restrictions. Despite being Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah was missed off the guest list in favour of lesser-known relatives, Bernhard, Hereditary Prince of Baden, Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Prince Donatus, Landgrave of Hesse.

Sarah separated from Andrew in 1992 before officially divorcing in 1996 and allegedly had a strained relationship with the Duke of Edinburgh.

According to Gyles Brandreth, Philip regarded the Duchess of York as “beyond the pale”.

In an article for the MailOnline, he said: “When I asked Prince Philip why he wouldn’t see Sarah, he said: ‘I am not vindictive.’

“Then, looking at me directly, he added emphatically: ‘I am not vindictive, but I don’t see the point.’

“That Andrew and Sarah appeared to remain friends after their separation — and that they shared a home even after their divorce — seemed to him ‘truly bizarre’.”

Despite relations becoming strained with the Duke, Sarah has attempted to mend bridges with the Royal Family and has been invited as a guest to stay at Balmoral by the Queen.

Insiders have also claimed the Duchess has become a supportive figure for the Queen and has joined her and Andrew on walks as Her Majesty recovers from the loss of her husband.

According to The Sun, Fergie and Andrew have been making the drive from the Royal Lodge to Windsor Castle, to walk with the Monarch.

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An insider said: “They have been going on short walks around the gardens with the Queen and her corgis.

“Sarah’s very much in the fold now that the Duke of Edinburgh has gone.

“The Queen has always had a soft spot for Sarah and regards her as an excellent mother.”

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice will both attend the funeral with their respective husbands, Jack Brooksbank and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

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Also attending will be one of Philip’s closest friends and confidantes, Penny Brabourne, Countess Mountbatten of Burma.

She was a regular visitor to Wood Farm, where Philip spent the majority of his remaining years after he retired from royal services in August 2017.

Meghan Markle, however, will not attend the funeral on Saturday after being advised against travelling while being pregnant with her and Prince Harry’s second child.

Harry, however, returned to the UK on Sunday for the first time since the bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Upon returning to the UK, both Harry and Prince William held a call on Sunday to discuss the issues surrounding their relationship.

It is thought Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge acted as peacemaker between the two ahead of the funeral on Saturday.

Now stripped of his military roles, the Queen has made the decision for all royals to wear suits instead of military attire.

A Palace spokesperson said: “Members of the royal family will be wearing morning coat with medals or day dress.

“That’s to say members of the royal family will not be in military uniform.

“All arrangements have been signed off by Her Majesty.”

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