There’s no denying that the British royal family is an institution full of colorful characters.
Sarah, Duchess of York, was privy to her fair share of that.
The fiery redhead married Queen Elizabeth II’s middle son, Prince Andrew, in 1986.
However, despite their separation, Sarah has remained in the royal fold.
This unique position means that Sarah has the inside scoop on everything that goes on behind palace doors.
[She’s] never faltered.
I absolutely think there is no greater mentor.
The consistency of Her Majesty has been a great honor.
Makes me want to cry."
It seems the two had a bond that remained unwavering until the end.
“It’s the last thing that the Queen said to me: ‘Just be yourself, Sarah.’
And she saw it.
She just got so annoyed when I wasn’t being myself.
And that’s probably when I got into all the pickles.
But now I am myself, and I’m just so lucky to be able to be myself.”
Judging by Beatrice’s flawless public persona, this advice hasn’t fallen on deaf ears.
Bryan was seemingly sucking the duchess' toe, which led to somewhat of an uproar.
During one episode, the duchess explained her ethos on how to weather adversity.
“I’m deeply sorry for that.
It was purely unintentional.
The pair remain on incredibly good terms, even continuing to live together since their split.
Neither has remarried or even been in a serious public relationship since parting ways.
Andrew lost many things in the wake of the scandal, from patronages to military titles.
But, despite all that, he has never lost his one true ally.
According to Sarah, Andrew told her it’s lonely and that he often thinks about his parents.
The duchess described grief as coming in “tidal waves,” to which many people could relate.
As for Andrew, he was reportedly quite close to his mother, right up until her death.
Sarah was known for being loud and bubbly, while Diana was more reserved.
I know what it’s like to be ostracised.
I know what it’s like to be left in the corner of a room.'
On her podcast, Sarah gave royalists further insight into her relationship with her late sister-in-law.
“And I used to hug her but she wouldn’t understand.
The etiquette tips didn’t end there.
The duchess even has a trick up her sleeve for attending multiple events in one evening.
And everyone in the room says, ‘Oh, well we did.'”
However, Sarah, Duchess of York, has always been open.
In 2023, Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer.
The statement she released, via her spokesperson, was very frank.
As a result, the duchess had an 8-hour mastectomy, something that could have broken most people.
Instead, Sarah told her listeners, the ordeal gave her a new perspective.
Stop not liking yourself,” she explained on the podcast (via theMirror).
She revealed her grandson’s nickname
Grandparents know the joy of welcoming a grandchild into the world.
Sarah revealed that she was moved to tears when Princess Eugenie revealed the name of her second son.
What was it about Ernest’s name that moved his grandmother?
It was so kind, I thought.
It made me cry," explained the duchess in her podcast (via theMirror).
As for Granny, she also has a nickname, with her three grandkids dubbing her “GG.”
Sarah, Duchess of York, has a trick for that, too.
Sarah revealed her secret to listeners in the very first episode of her podcast.
“I call my rule book my own rule book.
But also learning, and really the university of life.”
However, this is her coping mechanism of “overcompensating,” the duchess says.
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Visit theRape, Abuse & Incest National connection websiteor contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
