Sarah Ferguson says her relationship with Prince Andrew is a 'fairytale' and 'stands by him' despite sexual assault allegations

Sarah Ferguson has shared new details on her relationship with Prince Andrew

Sarah Ferguson calls Prince Andrew marriage a 'fairytale'
(Image credit: Getty)

Sarah Ferguson has called her marriage to Prince Andrew a 'fairytale', insisting that she stands by her ex amid the allegations of sex abuse against him. 


The Duchess of York gushed about her royal wedding to Prince Andrew during a recent appearance on an Italian talk show, calling the iconic nuptials the "best day of her life". 

Speaking on Porta a Porta on December 14, Sarah Ferguson—a.k.a. 'Fergie'—shared her strong feelings towards her ex-husband, the Duke of York, who is currently facing allegations of sex abuse. 

When asked by host Bruno Vespa to recall her happiest memory, she said, "3rd July 1986, when I married the best man in the world." Her comments come shortly after Sarah Ferguson said she was the 'most persecuted woman' in the Royal Family, just days after Meghan Markle's legal win. 

Fergie married Prince Andrew in a lavish ceremony at Westminster Abbey over 25 years ago and the couple went on to welcome two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. They announced their separation in 1992, after six years of marriage, and divorced in 1996. 

The Duke And Duchess Of York On Their Wedding Day

Sarah Ferguson with Prince Andrew on their wedding day 

(Image credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

While the exact reasons for their split remain unclear, Sarah has admitted in the past that she was growing deeply dissatisfied with life as a working royal. It was also widely speculated that the Duchess was unfaithful in the marriage, after salacious photos of her having her toes sucked by financial advisor John Bryan were splashed across the British tabloids. 

Despite the rocky end to their relationship, Sarah has repeatedly defended and praised Andrew over the decades—and it appears she isn't about to let up any time soon. The bestselling author fondly detailed her "fairy-tale" experience of "marrying a prince", explaining that she felt like "the luckiest girl in the world." 

"First of all, I was marrying a man, then I was marrying a naval officer, and then I was marrying a Prince and he was very good looking, a handsome prince from all the fairy-tales," she said. "He even had the sword." 

"I believe that the love I have for him and he has for me is just very different from what normal people have. We have great respect and love for each other. It really is our own fairy-tale and it's our own lives, how we like to be, with total respect and honor to each other."

Sarah Ferguson

(Image credit: John Shelley Collection/Avalon / Getty Images)

Sarah, who is currently living with Prince Andrew at the Royal Lodge, also insisted that she "stands by him 100 percent" amid the criminal allegations facing the disgraced royal. In 2019, the Duke of York was accused by Virginia Roberts of committing sexual assault and battery against her when she was 17. He has firmly denied the allegations but has since stepped back from his public duties. 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.

Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.