Fergie’s family reportedly questioned her motives for marrying the Duke of York
Sarah Ferguson’s decision to marry Prince Andrew reportedly left her family stunned, with her father openly expressing doubts about her reasons for joining the royal family.
According to royal biographer Andrew Lownie, even Fergie’s relatives weren’t convinced her heart was entirely in the right place. “She’s either in love with Andrew or in love with the royal family, and I think it’s the latter,” her father is quoted as saying.
Andrew and Ferguson tied the knot in July 1986, a little over a year after meeting at Ascot. While the couple’s romance seemed joyful at first, there were mixed feelings within both families. Some royal insiders were wary of Fergie’s lively personality, fearing potential scandals from her private life. One Palace source reportedly said she was known as a “game girl,” a term that raised eyebrows among royal circles.
Despite these doubts, Ferguson was initially welcomed by the royals. She shared their love of outdoor activities, horses, and dogs, and was known for her easy-going nature—especially compared to Diana, Princess of Wales. Yet some insiders admitted she had a tendency to “talk too much and inappropriately,” which worried Palace officials.
Ferguson’s father, meanwhile, was said to be “shocked” by the match, unsure whether his daughter was truly in love with Andrew or simply enchanted by the royal world.
Years later, the Duke and Duchess of York continue to surprise royal watchers. Even after their 1992 separation and 1996 divorce, they’ve remained close companions, still sharing a home and often appearing together at royal events.
Their long-standing bond endures despite the Duke’s recent controversies and loss of royal titles following his connection to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
