Sarah Ferguson allegedly left those around her “constantly embarrassed” according to an explosive new update of a bombshell biography by Andrew Lownie, as she begged for freebies
Beatrice, Sarah and Eugenie called themselves ‘The Tripod’ – but allegations shed new light on their dynamic(Image: Getty)
Sarah Ferguson’s daughters were allegedly left mortified by her behaviour according to a explosive biography which claimed Beatrice was regularly left footing her mother’s luxury bills.
New allegations about the former Duchess of York, 66, have hit the shelves in the paperback update of Andrew Lownie’s bestselling biography, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York.
A long-standing former personal assistant to the Duchess, 66, has been quoted extensively in the new material. Their claims paint a damning portrait of “Freebie Fergie’s” love of excess, alleging that working for her was a “chaotic” nightmare that left staff experiencing a “crushing sense of embarrassment 80% of the time.”
According to the book, Fergie’s love of luxury saw bills skyrocket, leaving staff asked to buy items on their own personal credit cards.
Even her own family wasn’t safe from the financial chaos, with the book claiming: “The assistant and other staff members had problems getting paid and often had to buy things using their own credit cards. Sarah herself drew on Beatrice’s credit card constantly and paid one psychic in cigarettes.”
Eugenie, Beatrice and Sarah Ferguson in happier times(Image: Getty Images)
Staff were reportedly sworn to secrecy with strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). The PA claims that Beatrice and Eugenie were “very much under the control of their mother but embarrassed by her behaviour.”
Meanwhile, employees allegedly “walked on eggshells” around Andrew because they were afraid of him, but didn’t see him much.
The lifestyle inside the York household was allegedly astronomically expensive and dictated by bizarre demands. This included Fergie insisting upon a cream cake being baked for her every day, regardless of whether she had eaten the previous one.
One assistant claimed Sarah would buy huge numbers of her own books to inflate her position on the bestseller list, before handing them out as gifts.
Andrew Lownie’s updated book contains 41 pages of shock claims(Image: TIM ANDERSON)
The book claims that “Sarah rarely paid for anything”, expecting friends to entertain her, borrowing security from rich acquaintances, and keeping couture clothes that were only meant to be lent to her.
The book also exposes Fergie’s deep insecurities concerning the Royal Family. She allegedly spoke relentlessly about Princess Diana and her agonising fears that she had ruined their friendship
While she frequently claimed to love the late Queen Elizabeth II, the book alleges Her Majesty “trashed” Fergie behind her back. Conversely Fergie was openly negative about Prince Edward and Prince Philip, who she reportedly disliked.
Sarah is alleged to have constantly spoken about her fears that she ruined her relationship with Diana(Image: Getty)
Biographer Andrew Lownie alleges the Mirror that this toxic culture has rubbed off on Beatrice and Eugenie, claiming that ” every social engagement is a business making opportunity.
“It would be very easy for them to retire from public life. They didn’t need to go to Sandringham at Christmas, they could have gone off to their in-laws, they went skiing just afterwards. They could have also said ‘Look we’re going to renounce our titles, we’re not working royals, we’re going to now pay the proper market rent for Kensington and St James’s Palace,” Lownie claimed. “They could have done lots of things.”
The book also features eyewitness testimony from a named source claiming Sarah stayed in an apartment belonging to Epstein, years after she had publicly disowned him.
“The revealing thing is the doorman used to get into their uniform when Fergie was there,” Lownie claimed to the Mirror. “And always escort her from lift to the door. But there she is, she’s very publicly distanced herself from him in 2011 and there she is years later still being freebie Fergie. She had plenty of other places to stay too. It’s almost as if she wanted to be close to him.”