The two first started dating in 1985, and in 1986, they were married.
Here’s how Sarah Ferguson’s scandalous affair with John Bryan changed her life forever.
When the duchess first entered the public arena as Prince Andrew’s girlfriend, she was well-liked.
The masses appreciated her modern approach to royalty and found her refreshing.
Things only got darker when Ferguson and Prince Andrew separated.
The duchess' actions irreparably soured her reputation, and the intense public humiliation severely impacted her mental health.
“I did not want to come out of the room.
It was motherhood that brought Ferguson out of darkness.
“It was because of my two girls that I decided that it was important to get on.
But she struggled for many years after with her self-image.
But her relationships with essentially everyone in the line of succession and beyond was ruined after her affair.
After the toe-sucking photos circulated the globe,Ferguson reportedly entered into a feud with Prince Philip.
“Not once have you hung your head in embarrassment even for a minute after those disgraceful photographs.
Clearly you have never considered the damage you are causing us all.
How dare you discredit us like this and how dare you send me those flowers?”
“I didn’t want a divorce but had to because of circumstance,” Ferguson toldHarper’s Bazaar.
Ferguson’s relationship with Andrew didn’t change much, either.
“We always say we are the most contented divorced couple in the world.
The duchess lost part of her royal title
Titles are a tricky thing within the royal family.
But according to the duchess, the title change was a choice she made.
“Well, you’re able to’t have it both ways.
you’re able to’t sit on the fence and keep one foot in and one foot out.
You’re either in or out,” Ferguson said to theIndependentabout her decision.
“You chose to leave, now go and live it and be it.”
Ferguson isn’t the only royal in recent memory to lose her HRH status.
After her divorce from then-Prince Charles, Princess Diana was stripped of hers.
One such gig was being a spokesperson for Weight Watchers.
“It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle.
it’s possible for you to eat foods you want.
But I’m not.
But that arrangement didn’t stand forever as Andrew left that year to move into the Royal Lodge.
“She has a lot of international business commitments and has moved on considerably.
She also owns a townhouse in London, but she reportedly rents that out.
One way Ferguson exercised her freedom was by entering the entertainment industry.
The former royal didn’t declare bankruptcy, though.
“Bankruptcy would be the easy option.
I couldn’t do that.
Apparently those closest to Ferguson weren’t too shocked by the ordeal.
“The situation is sad but it’s not surprising.
This was an accident waiting to happen,” one source toldThe Telegraph.
Prince Andrew reportedly received help from the crown in paying his settlement from his sexual assault case.
Even Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly received money from the royal family before splitting for the United States.
The duchess reportedly was forced to pay her debts on her own.
But don’t feel too bad for her.
Even with her debts,Sarah Ferguson lives an incredibly lavish life.
But for those who exit unfavorably, like Sarah Ferguson, it’s not so simple.
The duchess also had a notably positive relationship with Queen Elizabeth despite her past.
She had the most incredible faith of any single person I’ve ever met.
She just knew what to do.
She knew how to make people feel good.
She never took it onboard as about her.
It’s about the monarchy, about making someone feel good.
She was my total idol.”
Perhaps the most telling sign is that Ferguson has said publicly that she has no intention of remarrying Andrew.
“Whatever challenges he has, I will stand firm to the co-parenters that we are together …
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available.
