Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, is still promoting her historical romance/drama book, Her Heart For a Compass. That’s why she’s on the cover of Town & Country, talking about the book and what she’s learned and how she’s a survivor or something. On one side, I think Fergie got a raw deal about many things back in the day. On the other side, good lord, she brought so much of it on herself. She’s a messy trainwreck. At one point in the interview, she proudly declares herself “free of the self-sabotaging Sarah.” Which is pretty bold to assume that her self-destructive streak will never raise its head again. Anyway, you can read the full piece here. Some highlights:
She’s fit now: “When they say you’re the ‘Duchess of Pork’ or you’re ‘frumpy Fergie,’ you start believing it.”
Her media attorney Paul Tweed: Tweed told her, “I think you probably are the woman in the world who has had more bad front pages than any other,” which is saying something, considering that Tweed once represented Britney Spears. “I took it as a huge compliment,” she says. “I’m really proud that I’m still here.”
Free from self-sabotage: “It’s a very good moment, because I’m free. She’s still with me, that person who thinks she’s fat, ugly, and disgusting, and she still has to have her hair done to talk to you, but she’s now not so vocal. The truth is, I am 61 years old and I’m free of the self-sabotaging Sarah.”
The press pitting her against Diana: “It was always that Diana was portrayed as the saint and I was portrayed as the sinner. Bad Fergie sold an awful lot of papers.”
In 2011 she was excluded from the wedding of William and Kate: It was a decision she neither fought nor resented. “I didn’t think I was probably worthy to go to their wedding. I took myself to Thailand, actually, to be far away from it so that I could try and heal.”
On being invited to Meghan & Harry’s wedding: “It was very kind of them, and I can’t thank them enough for doing that because it was nerve-wracking,” she said, calling spectator’s cheers upon her arrival “quite extraordinary.”
On the Sussexit: She refuses to comment directly on Megxit, only offering, “I believe that Diana would be so proud of her boys…and she’d be so proud of her grandchildren.”
She watched Bridgerton & The Crown: She watches Bridgerton (which, along with The Bold Type and Riverdale, is among Ferguson’s favorite binges) or, for that matter, The Crown, in which she has barely been portrayed. “Hello?” she jokes. “Where is Fergie?” She even wrote to Andy Harries, an executive producer of The Crown, offering input. “I said to him, ‘Why can’t I help my character?’ ” she says. Her offer was declined.
She doesn’t hold grudges against the people who wronged her: “One day I got up and thought, Mandela forgave his persecutors; surely I can forgive and move forward.”
On Prince Andrew: “There is no question that we remain steadfast to each other in loyalty, integrity, honor,” she says, haltingly, when asked about his relationship with Epstein. Back in 2011 she dealt directly with the fact that she had accepted $24,500 from Epstein to help restructure her debts, remarking she was “just so contrite I cannot say,” a press strategy that might have saved her ex-husband’s reputation had he been half as proactive. “The family is everything to me. The most important thing is the girls.”
Her “girls” are both adults, they have both gotten married and they’re out of the “nest.” And she still talks about them like they’re five years old. Which just reminds me of several old interviews I’ve read with Fergie and the York princesses and how the “girls” basically had to raise themselves. Fergie spent their entire childhoods running from man to man, causing problems and self-destructing constantly. That’s one of the reasons why my default position is to show Beatrice and Eugenie a little bit of sympathy – they would have been better off being raised by wolves.
Cover and IG courtesy of Town & Country.
Imagine comparing yourself to one of the most beloved figures in history. SMH. These people are completely out of touch with reality.
I get why people interpret it to mean that she thinks she has been persecuted just as much as Nelson Mandela. I don’t think she was comparing herself to him though. I think she meant that he had it so much worse, but was still able to forgive and that she should be able to do the same since her situation wasn’t nearly as bad.
@Ainsley I definitely think that’s what she was saying, or trying to say – that if even Mandela could forgive his persecutors, then surely she can too since her situation wasn’t as bad – but something about it does not come off right which is why it made me laugh. I get what I think she meant, but it still also comes off like she’s comparing herself to him.
I agree, she just meant he went theough so much more and could forgive, so i can do that too and move on. I have sympathy for her, she was a train wreck, but i’m sure a lot of what she went through driven by courtiers who hated her and made it absolute hell for her. She was the bullied one and another victim of crap monarchy.
She literally compared herself. @Lady Luna is right. They are completely out of touch and her statement is deeply disrespectful to the memory the great Mandela. But what do we expect? Clueless, rich, out of touch, white supremacist institution, and on and on.
Fergie wasn’t locked up in prison. Mandela was. She needs to shut up.
Even if she was trying to make a valid point (even HE was able to forgive and he had it much worse) it was tone deaf in a puff piece image interview and she should keep his name out of her mouth.
Mandela? Seriously? She continues to be a vapid, narcissistic whack job.
She is disgusting in so many ways, and so is T&C for promoting her. Even speaking of Nelson Mandela in the same breath as herself is so arrogant and so white.
It’s really easier to forgive when justice has been done!! I can’t pretend to understand what these victims have gone through and what they are still going through, but forgiveness is sweeter when the accused is in a jail cell, no doubt.
That’s where I am. It’s not justice just because time has passed and Andrew is, for all intents and purposes, still free as a bird.
GRRRR!!!
Angie , this. Andy victims should forgive him, because he has daughters didn’t you know?
Fergie is still all about fergie. And I am sorry for what the press put her through, even though some was at her own doing, however, it can’t hold a candle to what they did to Meghan. Plus william hasn’t done a thing yet for his mother to be proud of. He is still a jackass
I used to live in the UK and the press was even more vicious back then. I remember Fergie getting horrendous press- much worse than Meghan. I also remember a lot of rumors that Diana would leak about Fergie when she wanted them off her trail. Supposedly the toe sucking photos happened because Diane told the press where to they could find Fergie. That was the incident that made her persona non grata in the royal family.
Diana had nothing to do with Fergie’s reckless behavior. She did not “force” Fergie to be involved with her financial adviser. Meghan got the worst treatment> Ever. I remember that at least Fergie had a “window” where the media praised her to the skies. Meghan never had that and from the get go she was slammed. Fergie also played up that she liked Country Pursuits. And Diana came out second best. Fergie also made an indiscreet comment about Diana in her book, that she got Plantar warts after borrowing Diana’s shoes. Diana cut her off after that. Diana would not “tell the press” if she did not know ahead of time that Fergie could be so clueless nor who she was with, the press likes stories and Fergie sabotaged herself and it is on her.. Fergie did herself in, she could have enjoyed the good life and stayed in the fold.
I think it is self-destructive Sarah who compares her tribulations to Mandela.
What very odd and unflattering photos, in that second one it looks like a dominatrix outfit. She looks so different too – fillers?
I think it might be photoshop bc she doesnt look like that in live interviews.
I’ll always give her credit for embracing the fact that she still looks like a 61 year old woman IRL.
Well she definitely hasn’t indulged in much (if any) plastic surgery. Fixing those eyelids is probably more medical than vanity.
I remember back when she did all the WW stuff—she seemed okay then, kind of likable.
I can’t think of a time I’ve seen her in something that really fits and flatters her. Even that coat on the front cover looks like it’s about to burst. I really don’t understand.
I’m not even going near her personality.
Her stylist obviously hates her.
Or she has awful taste and insists on picking her own outfits, styling.
She’s always had awful taste, but when she was younger, the whimsy was less forced. She still wants to dress like she’s 20-something in a costume drama. Poor thing.
I remember the tabloids (UK and US) treatment of Fergie and it was appalling. But….uh…..invoking Nelson Mandela? Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm no.
Okay, so overall these quotes are pretty good, and she’s definitely saying the right things for the most part so whoever is handling her PR/media these days is doing a good job with that. But…..I had to laugh at the Mandela reference. Yes Fergie, you and Nelson Mandela are EXACTLY the same, lol. (I know she’s not actually saying that but still, it cracked me up.) Even the bit about her and Andrew was clearly thought out in advance.
I definitely get the vibe that she supports H&M and probably is pretty impressed, maybe even envious, that they have been able to do what she never really was – break free of the royal family and make their own way. But she’s also beholden to the royals and depends on Andrew for her housing etc, so she’s not going to come out and actually say that. She can’t openly support them while also wanting the perks of the royal family. But I kind of think she does.
Fergie also came out in support of Peirs Morgan after he attacked Meghan. So, I’m not sure her support means all that much. It basically boils down to whether she personally likes the person regardless of what they may have done. If she does than she’ll defend them endlessly. It’s nice that she supports them, but it’s not like she doesn’t also support people who have the exact opposite view.
The support of Piers Morgan was really weird and to me almost felt like Fergie just didn’t want him attacking her as she started on her book tour, lol. But like I said I do think she supports them privately, but not publicly for a variety of reasons, so then you have to ask yourself how much is that private support worth (probably not a whole lot to H&M.) But I just don’t think she looks at them the way some of the other royals do.
I don’t think Fergie has a problem with Harry or Meghan and neither one of them has a problem with her. However, she can’t be RahRah Harry & Meghan because she depends on the royals for a roof over her head. She doesn’t want to be attacked in the press again, especially since she’s not a royal anymore and has no protection. The press is now beginning to lob threats to Eugenie, Fergie doesn’t want that smoke.
Is she for real? She’s still a train wreck, geez.
Some f#cking self-awareness would not go amiss.
Poor Fergie. She does not understand that she is the architect of her own downfall. These photos make her look even more tired; coming off an overnight shift at Mel’s diner.
I never really understood that thing about Epstein giving her £15,000 to clear her debts. It seems such a small and insignificant amount for people like them.
That was my first thought too!
Fergie is delusional. No doubt the Palace threw her to the wolves after she served their purpose which was to provide some heirs and temporary cover for his paedophilia. But she brought some of this mess on herself. When she left the family, the press was already portraying Diana as the devil though I do agree that in the beginning they did pit her against Diana. I suspect she may have been a willing participant in that game. She no longer has to be angry with the press because like the rest of the Royal Family she has an invisible contract. Oh and she has rewritten the history around her reaction to her non-invitation to William and Kate’s wedding. I remember her talking to Oprah about her disappointment and that she went to Thailand to pick her wounds.
Oh look, another Royal equating their own questionable suffering with an authentically victimized POC. The competition never ends for these fragile white martyrs.
I’m getting Alice In Wonderland vibes from the second photo…..
Lol we had the same thoughts
She would make a good “mad hatter” in an Alice in wonderland remake..
Those are some funky large hats. That’s all I have to say.
No one ever accused Fergie of having good taste, in clothes or in men.
SF never disappoints in causing a scene when she talks. She sells papers/media well for this reason. But it would be a no brainier if Andrew’s case went higher up in the law SF would jump the ship of support. She is all about self preservation.
STOP THIS.
If they were trying to make her look ridiculous, they succeeded.
Oh man. This interview had a lot of eyebrow raising quotes that I don’t know where to begin. The Mandela quote doesn’t come off as great. I saw upthread that she was probably trying to say “if Mandela went through all that and he could forgive, me who didn’t go through all that can too” and I agree with that. I also think a simple “no comment” works and that’s what you should say instead of trying to be clever (I’m looking at you Edward and Sophie) so there’s that.
Agree. When talking about her and Andrew’s relationship she should have stopped at loyalty.
Integrity & honor just are not words that fit with Andrew.
She’s a piece of work, and that’s a flattering comment. and still wearing clothes two sizes too small. Comparing yourself to Mandela! That’s just disgusting.
Of course, Fergie would complain about the Crown basically reducing her to a cameo. To Peter Morgan, she’s basically a footnote. I personally think that one of the weaknesses of the series was that they omitted the larking about that Diana and Fergie did before her wedding to Andrew when they tried to crash his stag do. Or how Diana liked having a friend in the Royal Family initially, especially one that got bad press because it made her look better.
That was my favorite part of this – that Fergie was mad she wasn’t featured more prominently in the Crown. She even offered to help the show’s writers etc. LOL. (I do wish the Crown showed more of Diana and Fergie’s relationship though, to show diana having an ally of sorts, but also just to show Diana’s fun side more.)
Grifters gonna grift
The NERVE of this grifter comparing herself getting caught grifting to the persecution of Nelson Mandela.
Oh, Sarah. Comparing yourself to Nelson Freaking Mandela? Really?!?
Petty note: That coat needs to be let out a couple of inches through the midsection. More positively, her face is settling into her age quite nicely. She was never what you’d call a beautiful woman, but she looks good here. She looks a bit like Juliet Mills on the cover photo.
What is it with these royal women and their obsession with Nelson Mandela? First Kate and now Sarah. That man suffered to bring liberty and justice for his people. His struggle, activism and hard work is not your playground. Do Kate and Sarah even know the definition of liberty and justice? Idiots
I literally gasped in utter incredulity when I saw the post title, so good job with that, lol.
Well both Fergie and Andrew have, by their own heinous behaviors, painted themselves into a very tight corner with nowhere to go. She’s the only person being supportive of him which is faint praise indeed and about as much help as a rubber crutch. Hope they enjoy their golden years fighting Andrew’s legal woes and living like pariahs on an increasingly tight budget. Guess Fergie’s next money making scheme could be hawking Ginsu knives on late night TV.
For all her many antics, I’ve always thought she’s ordinary and uninteresting. I don’t wonder that she’s just a cameo in The Crown. Even in this photoshoot, they could have picked out any random 60-year old woman from the street and gotten more personality.
Sarah, Mandela was a legendary man who suffered imprisonments to help free black people from horrific injustices. You are a simpering idiot who clings to a child rapist for relevancy and a free room. Also girl, Mandala would never have worn that hat. I am sure of it.
To be fair, ” alleged ” child rapist.
On being invited to Meghan & Harry’s wedding: “It was very kind of them, and I can’t thank them enough for doing that because it was nerve-wracking,” she said, calling spectator’s cheers upon her arrival “quite extraordinary.”
That’s nice. I liked reading this. The other stuff, I mean, Diana had “it”, Fergie didn’t. Simple. If I’d been her I would have quietly led my life, rather than always trying to be the centre of the party.
I’m pretty sure living with a pedo as his public beard is self-sabotage.
WAIT A MINUTE…..This THOT is comparing herself to Nelson Mandela??? OH MAN she is completely insane
That outfit belongs on a playing card. Insufferable AND dressed in the dark
Gosh, I wonder what would have happen if one of Fergie’s daughters had been forced to sleep with a gross old man against their will?
The caucasity of even bringing up Mandela’s name in this mess is pretty deplorable.
Messy, messy, messy. SMDH.
How was she persecuted? She got a divorce, got to keep her title, got to stay in her ex’s homes, spent much of the 90s/early 20s writing books and doing stuff on American daytime talk shows. Now she’s pretty much back in the fold. I most have missed the part where she was sentenced to life in prison and thrown in a small cell for decades.
She got to keep her title while she hawked products on home shopping, did a reality show for Oprah to help her income, and jet setted. She alone caused the trouble. The only limitation was that Philip did not want her around. Now the Queen welcomes her and Fergie gets to run to the media.
She says she’s changed every few years. Just STFU.
WORD.
“They had better off being raised by wolves “, I lol so hard when I read that 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
I like the raised by wolves comment. Wolves would have done a much better job
Fergie and Andrew have apparently co parented quite well imo. Both their girls are university grads and are gainfully employed. Neither has served time in prison or been arrested for drugs. They have married before having children. They seem to enjoy the company of their parents and are respectful of their grandparents. Say what you want about the parents but the children turned out well. Give credit where credit is due.
The daughters though have to deal with the behavior of their parents. It impacts their lives greatly to say the least. It may not send a good message to them seeing how Andrew is shielded while their cousins Harry and Meghan are trashed. They are part of a dysfunctional family.
A kiddie rapist was Ferguson’s personal piggy bank and Andrew’s personal pimp. I’d say if those girls turned out well at all, it was very much DESPITE their parents.
Terrible photo of her, and it’s really bad for a cover shot.
Why can’t she STHU and go away?
Nothing but a grifter and her constant defense of Andrew turns my stomach.
She just seems….stupid. Simple. I’m not convinced she has much to work with upstairs if you know what I mean. You know that one friend you have, when you talk to them, they look past your eyes into a kind of mental void? There’s no processing unit. And RAM is extremely limited and antiquated lol.
greedy seedy abominable repulsive cack-handed pederast rapist excuser. That is why any kind of monarchy or aristocracy or class system should be fought and abolished by all means of ridicule. She really thinks that her little show will help Andrew. Of course she knows what he has done. She does understand the seriousness of his actions. She does purposefully get out there and defends him because she thinks it might work.
I am so repelled I can barely describe it.
One has to admit that Prince Philip was utterly right when he rejected Fergie and barred her from re-joining the Royal Family even on a social level (Balmoral etc.).
She comes across as desperate. She might be afraid for herself if Andrew loses titles, etc. as well as the next reign. Charles would not tolerate her like the Queen does. I think the Queen wants Fergie out there to praise Andrew while Fergie gets more perks like vacations with the royals.
Fergie claims she did not ‘resent’ not being invited to William and Kate’s wedding. But she made it clear to the media that she did, talking openly about being ‘hurt.’
@tessa Fergie has changed her tune because she’s been welcomed back in the fold due to Andrew . They need a fall guy to shoulder Andrews sleazy past, so what better way to use Fergie and her selective fawning over her treatment by the Royal family
She has some serious mental health issues. I pity her children. No wonder the daughters are so close.
She looks like she’s dressed to go to Prince Andrews funeral.
Despo for some relevance. Jog on.