By Isabelle Wilson-
Former Duchess of York said to be preparing to move into six-bedroom property in the Home Counties
Sarah Ferguson (pictured)is reportedly preparing to return to Britain after spending time overseas amid continuing scrutiny over her former husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
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The former Duchess of York, 66, is understood to be renting a six-bedroom gated property in the Home Counties, according to a report by The Sun.The property reportedly has three bathrooms and a separate “granny annexe”, with Ferguson said to be capable of moving in imminently.
Her reported return comes after months in which she has largely remained out of the public spotlight. Ferguson is believed to have spent much of that time at a chalet in the Swiss Alpine resort of Verbier after leaving Royal Lodge, where she previously lived with Andrew.
Her belongings were reportedly collected from Andrew’s current residence at Marsh Farm on the King’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk this week. Ferguson’s reported move back to Britain comes against the backdrop of major changes to her former husband’s position within the Royal Family.
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Andrew was stripped of his titles and forced to leave Royal Lodge following renewed scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein. Ferguson also lost her courtesy title as a royal divorcee and reverted to using her maiden name. She subsequently lost the Freedom of the City of York, an honour she and Andrew had received as a wedding present from the city in 1987.
Councillors voted unanimously to remove the honour amid the controversy surrounding her links to Epstein. Ferguson has also faced calls to speak to US authorities about her dealings with Epstein following the release of millions of documents connected to the late financier.
One email exchange reported to have emerged from the documents suggested that Ferguson took her daughters to visit Epstein in the United States days after his release from prison following his conviction for sex offences involving a minor.
The allegations have added to continuing scrutiny of the relationship between Epstein and people within Britain’s royal and social circles. Ferguson has previously faced questions about her association with Epstein, although the precise circumstances surrounding individual contacts have remained the subject of continuing public and media scrutiny. Ferguson’s reported return to Britain comes only days after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to the country with their children, following several years living in the United States.
The developments represent another significant moment for members of the wider Royal Family who have established lives away from the centre of royal duties. Any return to Britain is likely to take place under considerably greater scrutiny than before.
Her reported move into a new private residence follows a period of profound change in her relationship with the Royal Family and comes as questions surrounding Epstein’s connections to prominent figures continue to generate international attention.
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