Sarah Ferguson on Divorcing Prince Andrew (1996)

On this day in 1996, Sarah, Duchess of York held an impromptu press conference outside her ski chalet in Verbier, Switzerland, where she was on holiday with her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. The press had gathered as the divorce between the Duchess and her husband, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, had become legal following a three-minute hearing in the High Court that morning. The Duchess said it was the saddest day of her life but that she and the Duke would remain the "bestest" of friends.

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[cynthiapena]

I actually felt sorry for her. Imagine having to put on a brave face... For and WITH her children, for the cameras.... She was a real lady through it all... I could hear a little steel in her voice at times. Well she came through it. I bet she's perfected it now.

[giovannigalletti]

Poor Sarah, poor Eugenie, poor Beatrice ...

[spiritofanu]

To me - she has never learned to stop talking when she should. She, alone, prologued this media frenzy.

[josieclaridge]

I have a bit more respect for her after he
hearing this

[reenierossi]

I'd like to know what the statement was that Andrew made the day before. This was sad and really tough. She handled it very well - especially for her children.

[nickdavidelijah]

She seems nice and the princesses seem to have a good relationship with their parents which is always telling. :)

[doggyteabreaks]

Ooh boy, Fergie on this occasion, was either being way too gracious & polite to the reporters, or maybe liked the attention of all the cameras focused on her? All imo btw

[Stand]

This is the reason why royals often married other royals. They understood the culture. They were brought up in it. Royals who married commoners often ended up divorced. They rarely could cope with the demanding life they had to follow.