Sarah Ferguson is said to be leaning on her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, as the countdown begins for her departure from Royal Lodge.
Last October, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Sarah and her former husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor would be leaving the Windsor estate where they have lived together since 2008. With the move-out date fast approaching, sources say Sarah is determined to “spread her wings” and start rebuilding her life.
The pair have been under intense scrutiny for months following renewed attention on Andrew’s past links to Jeffrey Epstein — a saga that has dominated headlines and further damaged the monarchy’s public image. The fallout has been deeply personal for Sarah, who is said to be “still very upset” by everything that has unfolded.
According to insiders, Andrew is expected to relocate to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate, but Sarah will not be joining him. Instead, she is exploring options that would allow her some independence while staying close to family. A source told HELLO! that the former couple must vacate Royal Lodge by January 25, adding that although Sarah has stood by Andrew for years, she is now ready to chart her own path.
The insider added that Sarah will not be moving into Beatrice’s home in the Cotswolds. Eugenie’s place in Portugal is reportedly being considered as a temporary base while she looks for somewhere permanent. The same source claimed Andrew has largely shut himself off from the outside world, saying he no longer reads newspapers and is “in his own bubble”, though the daughters continue to see him.
Sarah has also faced renewed criticism over her own past association with Epstein after a 2011 email referring to him as a “supreme friend” resurfaced last year, prompting several charities to cut ties. Her spokesperson later said the message was sent under pressure, insisting she, like many others, had been misled by Epstein’s lies.
Public anger intensified again after the posthumous memoir of Virginia Giuffre reignited allegations against Andrew. He has repeatedly and firmly denied all claims.
