Duchess of York marks September 11 attacks anniversary with heartfelt tribute
Sarah Ferguson has shared an emotional message to mark the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, recalling how deeply the day affected her while she was in New York City. Posting on Instagram alongside a photo of the memorial light display, she wrote, “Today, we pause to remember the lives lost and forever changed on September 11th, 2001. I was in New York at the time, and like so many, I will never forget the shock, the heartbreak, and the extraordinary courage I witnessed that day.”
She went on to honour the strength shown in the aftermath of the tragedy, adding, “Out of unimaginable tragedy came stories of kindness, unity, and resilience that continue to inspire us all. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones, the survivors, and the first responders whose bravery and selflessness remind us of the very best of humanity. We must never forget.”
The Duchess of York lived in United States for nearly a decade after her divorce from Prince Andrew, and her reflections offered a personal perspective on an event that continues to shape history. One follower recalled seeing her on Good Morning America when news of the attacks first broke, a memory that underscored her close connection to the country she once called home.
That bond was also clear in a speech she gave at a charity event in Palm Beach last year. Fighting back tears, she told the audience, “I wanted to thank the American people for giving me back my life. Always have a handkerchief, by the way, I get so emotional. When I came in 1995… I don’t know how to thank you. You gave my children a life. I was divorced, from England, I went to live in America, and I got a job. And it’s all thanks to you.”
