Sarah Ferguson’s mother Susan Barrantes did not hold back on sharing her thoughts on what exactly her ex son in law, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, ‘lacks’
It’s been a humiliating year for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the Royal formerly known as Prince Andrew. But now matters have taken another turn, with comments made by his ex mother in law shedding light on what he ‘lacks’. On July 23, 1986, thousands took to the streets outside Buckingham Palace to see the newly married Duke and Duchess of York step out onto that famous balcony.
Initially, it seemed a fitting match. Sarah Ferguson, affectionately known as ‘Fergie’ to Royal watchers was regarded as a vivacious red head full of fun. Andrew, often cited as the favourite son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, was also seen as fond of a good time, nicknamed ‘Randy Andy’ in the press on account of his colourful love life. However, almost forty years after Andrew and Sarah exchanged vows at Westminister Abbey, their marriage and reputations lie in tatters, as do the royal titles so solemnly bestowed upon them on that hopeful summer’s day. So where did it all go so catastrophically wrong?
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In his recently published book, ‘Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York’, which hit shelves back in August, author Andrew Lownie draws from accounts of those who know the Yorks personally, including the words of Fergie’s late mother, Susan Barrantes.
Susan, who sadly died in a car crash in September 1998 at the age of 61, didn’t hold back on her thoughts on her ex son in law during a candid interview with Italian magazine Gente. Speaking plainly, Susan, who courted scandal herself after eloping with an Argentinian polo player remarked that if only Andrew had “character”, he and Sarah perhaps “wouldn’t have broken up”.
Debutante turned documentary maker Susan reflected: “He’s a good-looking boy and has a heart of gold to the point where he would be without any money himself to help someone, but he just hasn’t got any character… absolutely none. If only he had character, perhaps his marriage wouldn’t have broken up.”
Andrew and Sarah, who share daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996. They have remained on unusually close terms in the decades since, even living together at Royal Lodge on Windsor Great Park.
However, the apparent post-marital bliss they once enjoyed has this year exploded. In light of ongoing controversies surrounding the pair, they have now relinquished their titles and honours, and are being kicked out of the 30-room Royal Lodge, where they’ve lived since 2004. This comes amid fierce public criticism over Andrew’s friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, which has long cast a shadow over palace life. Andrew, 65, has repeatedly denied accusations that he had sex with Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre when she was 17 years old, and has always strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
Sarah too has come under fire in recent months after emails between herself and Epstein came to light in which she referred to the sex offender as her “supreme friend” – after previously saying she’d cut links.
In a March 2011 interview with the Evening Standard, Sarah, 66, claimed she had distanced herself from Epstein, who died in 2019, and apologised for accepting £15,000 from him. The grandmother told the publication: “I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf. I am just so contrite, I cannot say. Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.”
However in an email dated April 26 2011, which was published by The Sun back in September, Sarah took a notably different tone. Sarah told Epstein: “I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. And I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that. You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family.”
She continued: “I am apologising to you today for not replying to your email or reaching out to you. I was bedridden with fear. I was paralysed. I was advised in no uncertain terms, to have nothing to do with you and to not speak or email you. And if I did – I would cause more problems to you, the Duke and myself. I was broken and lost. So please understand. I didn’t want to hurt Andrew one more time. I was in over-riding fear. I am sorry.”
In response to this correspondence coming to light, Sarah’s spokesperson issued a statement explaining the email had been sent “in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats”.
Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com
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