The shocking development has raised fresh questions about the former Duchess of York’s already fragile standing in Britain. 

Having kept a low profile for months amid mounting backlash over her ties to Jeffrey Epstein, Ferguson now faces even greater uncertainty as the scandal surrounding her family deepens.

Speculation is growing about what lies ahead for Sarah Ferguson following Andrew’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The 66-year-old former Duchess of York has kept a notably low profile, with her last public sighting dating back to September 25, 2025, when she was photographed leaving Royal Lodge by car.

Despite their divorce decades ago, Ferguson and Andrew had continued sharing his sprawling Windsor estate until recently. She once famously referred to them as the “happiest divorced couple in the world.”

Andrew, who is marking his 66th birthday today, is now in police custody. Unmarked vehicles were seen arriving at his current residence in Sandringham, Norfolk, where he relocated after he and Ferguson vacated Royal Lodge.

According to Thames Valley Police, officers are conducting searches at properties in both Berkshire and Norfolk. 

Authorities have not specified the exact addresses involved, though Royal Lodge is located in Windsor, Berkshire, and Wood Farm sits on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

This detention represents the first time the former prince has been arrested in connection with allegations tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Sarah Ferguson has largely withdrawn from public life amid growing outrage over her ties to Epstein. 

She is said to have spent time with friends in the French Alps before traveling to the United Arab Emirates. 

During that time, she has also been with her youngest daughter, Princess Eugenie, who was attending an art fair in Doha, Qatar, in her role as a director at dealer Hauser and Wirth.

Despite keeping a low profile, Ferguson’s past connections continue to resurface. 

Emails between the ex-duchess and Epstein reportedly show her repeatedly chasing him for money to clear debts and seeking practical support over a considerable period. 

The correspondence includes evidence that she remained in close contact with him after his release from prison for sex offences against children, even taking Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to lunch with him five days after his release. 

She also privately issued a grovelling apology to the child trafficker for publicly denouncing him, explaining she had done so to protect her career as a children’s author. In that message, she referred to him as a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend.”

As the fallout continues, Ferguson’s financial position has come under scrutiny. 

According to the Daily Mail, sources say she has openly told friends, “I need to get back to work. I need money.” 

Her reported need for income comes as she and Andrew have become pariahs in Britain, facing social exclusion and reputational damage.

Royal author Andrew Lownie, who wrote “Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York,” believes Ferguson’s future opportunities may lie outside the UK. 

He suggested that wealthy figures in Dubai, Bahrain, and Qatar could already be providing support. 

According to Lownie, “In Britain neither Sarah or Andrew will be socially accepted again whatever they try to do or wherever they go. But in the Middle East no one will care about what they have got up to.” 

He added that influential figures in the region may be willing to bankroll them, saying, “These types of people in the Middle East simply couldn’t care less what Sarah has done.” 

Lownie also noted that, even without formally using the title Duchess of York, Ferguson would still be viewed and treated as royalty in those circles.

The scandal has also impacted Sarah Ferguson’s daughters. Princess Eugenie recently left the UK for Qatar, where she worked at a contemporary art fair in Doha. 

She was tagged by model Caroline Daur at Art Basel 2026 with the caption, “REUNION!!! It’s been too long.” 

The event was also attended by David Beckham and Angeline Jolie. Despite the storm surrounding her family, Eugenie smiled as Daur put a comforting arm around her.

Sources say Eugenie and Beatrice are “aghast” at their mother’s tranche of emails to Epstein and are “appalled” and “embarrassed” by images of their father at Epstein’s New York mansion. 

Both daughters, along with Ferguson, are said to be rocked by Andrew’s arrest. They have not commented publicly.