Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew: Why did Andrew divorce Fergie in 1996?

Sarah Ferguson married Prince Andrew in 1986 after a whirlwind romance, although the pair had known each other for a long time, having met as children.

Fergie revealed in her autobiography that she would sneak away from her father’s polo matches to ”play tag with like-minded truants – including Prince Andrew, who was just my age”.

They fell out of touch before Princess Diana invited Fergie to a party at Windsor Castle.

The pair then began dating, before marrying and staying together for ten years.

It is reported that the couple’s marriage problems started in 1991, just one year after the birth of their second daughter, Princess Eugenie, 28.

Prince Andrew was successful in the navy, but this meant that the royal and his wife would have months without seeing each other.

According to reports this amounted to 40 days a year in the first five years of their marriage.

In 1992 the Palace announced Fergie and Andrew’s separation, issuing a statement reading: “Last week, lawyers acting for the Duchess of York initiated discussions about a formal separation

for the Duke and Duchess.

“These discussions are not yet completed and nothing will be said until they are.

"The Queen hopes that the media will spare the Duke and Duchess of York and their children any intrusion."

Despite the long distance being blamed for their divorce, there was a scandal that caused even more of a rift in their marriage.

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Fergie was spotted by photographers with her toes in the mouth of Texan financial advisor John Bryan, while she wore a bikini and sunbathed.

At the time the Duke and Duchess of York were still married, and photos showed Fergie kissing the financial advisor.

People magazine senior editor Anne-Marie O’Neill told CNN in 2002: “The tabloids had such a good time with it that it really was the first time that the royal family was opened up to such

ridicule."

Fergie told Harper’s Bazaar in 2011 that she didn’t want a divorce, but had to because of “circumstance.”

She said: "When I met with Her Majesty about it, she asked, 'What do you require, Sarah?' and I said, 'Your friendship,' which I think amazed her because everyone said I would demand a big

settlement.

"But I wanted to be able to say, 'Her Majesty is my friend'— not fight her nor have lawyers saying, 'Look, she is greedy.' I left my marriage knowing I'd have to work. I have."

However, since their divorce Andrew and Fergie, both 58, have remained close - with Sarah even moving into the Royal Lodge, the home Andrew shared with their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie.

Today they will be coming together as a family to celebrate daughter Eugenie's wedding to Jack Brooksbank.  

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