ROYAL weddings always capture the attention of the world, and the marriage of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson was no different.
However, what started out as a fairy tale romance ended in divorce not long after.
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When did Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson divorce?
Sarah Ferguson married Prince Andrew on July 23, 1986, in a Westminster Abbey ceremony.
At the time of their wedding, Prince Andrew was fourth in line to the throne.
The Queen gave the happy couple her permission to marry in Westminster Abbey and appointed them the Duke and Duchess of York.
During their 10-year marriage, they had two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie.
Eldest daughter Beatrice Elizabeth Mary was born on August 8, 1988, with the happy news being announced by Buckingham Palace.
It read: “Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York was safely delivered of a daughter at 8:18 p.m. today.”
Second daughter Eugenie Victoria Helena followed on March 23, 1990.
But in 1996, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson divorced after 10 years of marriage.
While the exact reason behind the break-up remains unknown, they announced their “amicable split” in 1992.
However, Sarah’s biographer says that Prince Andrew’s naval duties put a strain on the marriage as he was often travelling.
Just a few months after their split, Sarah was photographed with her financial adviser John Bryan.
Sarah’s open relationship with the media is rumoured to have put a strain on her relationship with the Palace
Are Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson friends?
The former couple remain on good terms and even share a house together.
Even though Sarah and Prince separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996 they continue to live at Royal Lodge in Windsor together.
Their close friendship and living situation has meant the former couple have often been plagued by rumours that they will one day reunite romantically – something Sarah appears to have not ruled out.
“All I can say is that we’re happy with the way we are right now,” she teased when quizzed about their relationship in an interview with The Telegraph.
“We always say we are the most contented divorced couple in the world. We’re divorced to each other, not from each other,” she added.
“We are co-parents who support each other and believe that family is everything. I’m proud of the job we have done together in bringing up our children and sustaining a strong family unit. Our bywords are communication, compromise and compassion.”
Both of their children are all grown up now, and have kids of their own.
Youngest daughter, Princess Eugenie got married to Jack Brooksbank in a joyful wedding that captured the attention of royal watchers in 2018.
Her older sister Princess Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a downsized July wedding during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.
The two princesses have made their parents grandparents.
Eugenie and Jack had their first child, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, on February 9, 2021.
The choice of Philip as a middle name pays tribute to Eugenie’s grandfather Prince Philip.
The happy couple then welcomed their second child in May 30, 2023.
They called him Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank, revealing their son’s name was inspired by “his great-great grandfather George, his grandpa George and my grandpa Ronald”.
Beatrice gave birth to daughter Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi on September 18 , 2021.
Sisters Eugenie and Beatrice are famously tight and have often attended royal events together over the years.
As of November 2023, Beatrice is ninth in line to the throne, with her daughter, Sienna, tenth.
Eugenie is 11th in line, with August 12th and Ernest 13th.