Sarah Ferguson on writing her own narrative after Queen Elizabeth's death - 'I feel liberated and can openly say what I want to say'
Fergie gets candid about the royals and whether she'll be attending King Charles's coronation
Sarah Ferguson talks her new book, A Most Intriguing Lady, and what it means for her to be 'liberated' after the death of Queen Elizabeth.
Sarah Ferguson is no stranger to being in the spotlight. As the former wife of Prince Andrew and the current Duchess of York, the royal redhead is used to having her name in the press - even when she didn't necessarily want it there.
Now, though, Fergie is writing her own narrative with her new novel, A Most Intriguing Lady, which came out Tuesday, March 7.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Fergie discusses what her new novel is about, as well as what her plans are for King Charles' coronation ceremony.
"I feel liberated," Sarah initially says. "I don't know whether it's the Queen passing that makes me think I can now openly say what I want to say without worrying I'm going to offend somebody. I'm really, truly authentic Sarah now."
Queen Elizabeth died in early September of 2022, after reigning on the throne for just shy of 71 years.
She does say later in the interview, however, that after the sexual assault scandals that surrounded her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, she became much closer to the Queen. "She was my idol. She was my legend," she recalls.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
A Most Intriguing Lady, Sarah's second novel, features a plot that is filled with rich royal history, as well as a bit of a "whodunnit" theme. When asked how the novel mirrors her own life, especially the main character, Fergie laughs. "Well the red hair certainly helps," she says.
"Sarah is cheeky. She's feisty. She's rebellious. In my life, it's not just Royal institution and monarchy, it's a bureaucracy that tries to allow this redhead to conform," she continues. "I believe in the absolute, unequivocal institution of monarchy, I totally support the King and the Queen consort - I've known them all my life. I know the rules."
When asked if she'll be attending the coronation of King Charles, she says that invitations haven't been sent yet. "If not, I'll have a cup of tea and a coronation chicken sandwich... and sausage rolls!" she says cheekily.
She then speaks quite fondly of King Charles, wishing him well as he prepares to take his place as the new monarch of England.
"I've always adored him, all my life," Fergie says. "I believe that he is an extraordinary person."
A Most Intriguing Lady: A Novel, $27 | Amazon
From Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, a sweeping, romantic compulsively readable historical saga about a Duke’s daughter—the perfect Victorian lady—who secretly moonlights as an amateur sleuth for high society’s inner circle.
Additionally, she speaks on Harry and Meghan's relationship, which has recently been under a magnified lens in the press - especially since the release of Harry's new memoir, Spare, in addition to the Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan, which follows the ex-Royals lives from a more intimate standpoint.
"What I'm thrilled about is seeing Harry so happy. He's got his lovely wife and he's got beautiful children. He deserves to be loved like that," she says of her family member.
Fergie also poignantly recalls one of the last conversations she had with the Queen before she passed, "One of the last things I said to her was 'what would you like me to do?' She said, 'Keep writing.'"
Madeline Merinuk is woman&home's US lifestyle news writer, covering celebrity, entertainment, fashion, and beauty news.
She graduated in 2021 with a B.A. in Journalism from Hofstra University, winning multiple student journalism awards, including a National Hearst Award, during her time there. After graduating, she worked at today.com, the digital site for the Today Show, where she wrote pop culture news and interviewed big-name personalities like Emily Ratajkowski, Haley Lu Richardson, Emma Corrin, and more.
Her personal interests, in no particular order, are: cheese, Joni Mitchell, reading, hot yoga, traveling, having multiple chapsticks in every handbag at all times, and dancing to ABBA songs as if she were in the Mamma Mia movies.
-
I'd never think to shop for occasionwear at Sainsbury's, but these fabulous festive finds have totally changed my mind
Tu's latest partywear collection has everything you need for the upcoming festivities
By Molly Smith Published
-
We rarely see Kate Middleton wearing strapless designs and her velvet dress was a sensational winter look
The Princess of Wales once stepped out wearing the most fabulous strapless black dress and this look deserves to make a comeback
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's 'family unity' amid cancer diagnosis hailed 'extraordinary' by proud royal
Kate Middleton's bravery and 'family unity' has been dubbed 'extraordinary' by Sarah Ferguson
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Sarah Ferguson reveals 'malignant melanoma' diagnosis as she shares 'shock' over second cancer discovery within a year
Sarah Ferguson shared a poignant message revealing she's in 'good spirits' after the 'shock' of her second cancer diagnosis within a year
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Sarah Ferguson has welcomed in the New Year with a daring colour – and a new confession
Sarah Ferguson's lime green dress is a bold start to 2024
By Jack Slater Published
-
A surprising guest joined the Royal Family Christmas walkabout this year – and it was their first appearance in 32 years
This somewhat controversial royal hasn’t been invited in over three decades
By Jack Slater Published
-
Another popular royal could be set for reality TV following Mike Tindall’s I’m a Celebrity stint
This popular royal could land a huge £500,000 payday for taking part
By Jack Slater Published
-
The 'vibrant addition' to King Charles's Christmas plans he would be 'heartless' not to invite
It would be 'heartless' for King Charles to exclude this member of The Firm from his Christmas plans
By Madeline Merinuk Published
-
Sarah Ferguson set to make major TV appearance to help launch new campaign
She will be appearing on a special episode of a hit ITV show and will share her personal story on TV for the first time
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
The sweet story behind Sarah Ferguson's appearance in Friends as she pays tribute to 'brilliant' Matthew Perry
Sarah Ferguson's appearance in Friends was an iconic moment, but did you know the sweet story behind the Duchess's cameo in the show?
By Laura Harman Published