Sarah Ferguson is preparing to start a new chapter, according to a source close to her, as she readies herself for a move to Portugal following her reported banishment from the Royal Family. The Duchess of York, once married to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, is expected to relocate to a £3.6 million villa owned by her daughter Princess Eugenie and Eugenie’s husband, businessman Jack Brooksbank.
The move comes amid renewed scrutiny over Ferguson’s past connection to Jeffrey Epstein. An email exchange between the duchess and the convicted sex offender resurfaced recently, prompting a new round of controversy. In the message, Ferguson wrote, “You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family.”
A spokesperson for Ferguson later addressed the email, saying, “This email was sent in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats.” The explanation emphasized that her words were shaped by pressure and concern at the time.
The fallout from the correspondence reportedly deepened the distance between Ferguson and the Royal Family, ultimately influencing her decision to leave the United Kingdom for a quieter life abroad. The villa in Portugal, surrounded by privacy and warm weather, represents an opportunity for a reset after months of unwanted attention.
Friends say Ferguson is focusing on moving forward rather than dwelling on the upheaval. After years of navigating public scandals, media scrutiny, and shifting royal dynamics, the duchess sees the relocation as a chance to rebuild her routine and find stability outside the intense spotlight.
Her relationship with her daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, remains strong, and both are said to be supportive of her move. With Eugenie and Brooksbank offering the villa as her new home base, Ferguson will have family nearby whenever they visit Portugal, as the couple often spends time there for work commitments.
While the circumstances surrounding her departure from royal life have stirred conversation, those close to her describe the duchess as determined to focus on healing, privacy and a slower pace. She is looking ahead to a period defined more by family and personal well-being than by controversy.
Ferguson, the move marks both an escape from turmoil and an intentional shift toward a quieter, more grounded existence, one she hopes will allow her to rebuild without the constant shadow of royal expectations or public judgment.