February 20, 2026 – Sarah Ferguson, ex-wife of Prince Andrew, remains out of the public eye following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. British police released him after questioning, but the incident has left the family reeling.
Recent Whereabouts and Family Ties
Ferguson and Andrew shared a 30-room residence near Windsor Castle until September, when they vacated amid revelations of prolonged contact with Jeffrey Epstein. Speculation suggested she might join her eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, and her family in the Cotswolds. Instead, observers spotted her in the French Alps with friends, followed by a reunion with Princess Eugenie, 35, at a contemporary art fair in Qatar.
Ferguson, 66, has not issued any public statements since the arrest. Reports place her lying low in the United Arab Emirates.
Family Distress
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie appear deeply affected by their father’s arrest. One daughter is reportedly staying with their mother. A source close to Ferguson remarked, “This is catastrophic for her and the girls. She seems to be doing her best to put a brave face on it. Her desperation for money was clear stupidity, but does that equate to what she’s going through now?”
Long-Standing Scandals and Epstein Links
The couple married in a grand Westminster Abbey ceremony in 1986, separated after five years, and divorced in 1996. Ferguson has defended Andrew through multiple controversies, once describing him as a “real gentleman” and “principled man” in a 2019 social media post that has since vanished.
Her own ties to Epstein drew scrutiny after a 2011 email called him a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend.” Charities distanced themselves, including Julia’s House children’s hospice, The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, Prevent Breast Cancer, and the Teenage Cancer Trust. Six companies connected to her now face closure following the latest Epstein documents release.
Emails from the U.S. Department of Justice reveal Ferguson sought financial advice from Epstein amid ongoing money troubles. In 2010, she apologized for a “serious lapse in judgment” after a sting operation caught her offering access to Andrew for cash, admitting, “It is true that my financial situation is under stress.”
Future Prospects
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams stated, “Sarah Ferguson has no future at all. She’s shamed and her businesses are closed down, and certainly no charity would touch her.”
Ferguson seeks a new public relations team to rebuild her image. Author Andrew Lownie noted, “In Britain, neither Sarah nor Andrew will be socially accepted again whatever they try to do or wherever they go. But in the Middle East, no one will care about what they have got up to.”
Appearance in Epstein files does not indicate wrongdoing. Ferguson has expressed regret over her friendship with Epstein, while Andrew denies any misconduct.
