Sarah Ferguson and Princess Diana had a complicated relationship, per Town & Country — the two
women were both friends and rivals over the years. The duo were actually fourth cousins
and met as children. However, they didn't become close until they entered young adulthood.
The pair ran in the same social circles, and after Diana married Prince Charles, she set
Sarah up with Prince Andrew, who she eventually married. Once both Diana and Sarah were members
of the royal family, Sarah was said to look to the Princess of Wales for guidance in royal
situations. However, the two also endured a rivalry that reportedly heated up when Sarah
impressed both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip with her talents and interest in sports.
Both Sarah and Diana split from their husbands in 1992, which bonded them even closer together.
The friends later vacationed together in the south of France with their children in 1996.
Later that year, Sarah released her autobiography. However, Diana allegedly didn't like the way
she was portrayed in the book and the two fell out of contact with one another. When
Diana died in a car accident in 1997, Sarah attended the funeral. She later expressed
her sadness over their rift during an interview with Harper's Bazaar. Sarah told the outlet,
"Because we were like siblings ... we rowed. And the saddest thing, at the end, we hadn't
spoken for a year."
Now, the Duchess of York is revealing what Diana would think about her sons, William
and Harry, and their life partners today.
Sarah Ferguson is opening up about her life, as recorded by People. The Duchess of York
dished on her current life, as well as the past, while revealing what her close friend
and former sister-in-law, Princess Diana, would think about her sons Prince William
and Prince Harry today. Sarah, also known as "Fergie," said that Diana would be over
the moon about William and Harry's children, as well as their wives Kate Middleton and
Meghan Markle. Sarah stated,
"She would be very proud of her sons and their wives, and she would be just like me, obsessed
with her grandchildren. Because that's what she loved. [Diana] adored my girls. She adored
the boys. This would be her haven. Her heaven."
The duchess also went on to reveal that Diana would be especially proud of the women William
and Harry chose to spend their lives with. Sarah added,
"If she were sitting with me right now, I know she would say, 'I am so proud of both
of my boys and the wonderful wives they have chosen.' Because each has got her own voice."
Recently, William and Harry celebrated what would have been Diana's 60th birthday by unveiling
a statue of their late mother at Kensington Palace (via Us Weekly). A few of Diana's closest
family members were in attendance at the event, although Kate and Meghan didn't make an appearance
at the ceremony.
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have reportedly been at odds for years, with the situation
exacerbated significantly by the former "Suits" star's infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey,
during which Meghan made it clear that reports of her bullying her sister-in-law had been
greatly exaggerated, and argued in fact it was Kate who'd been the aggressor. Following
the birth of Lilibet Diana, the Sussexes' second child, Kate has reportedly been working
hard to mend their rift. As a source told Us Weekly,
"Kate has been reaching out to Meghan a lot more since [Lilibet] was born, she's sending
[notes and] gifts and trying to build up a relationship."
However, the palace is reportedly requesting that certain senior members of the family
reach out to royal defectors Meghan and her husband Prince Harry, who stepped back from
royal duties at the beginning of 2020, "to get them to soften a bit" amidst ongoing,
and very public drama, between them. It therefore remains to be seen whether Kate is reaching
out of her own accord, or being encouraged to do so to save face.
The situation between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle might be complicated, but according
to former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter, both women would have benefited exponentially
from Princess Diana's guidance, if she was indeed still alive. Arbiter advised the Daily
Mail,
"Kate would have found Diana very helpful and a good mother-in-law."
Although there may have been an element of jealousy on Diana's part, the former staffer
reckons, overall, she would have, quote, "steered Kate and advised her," without being overbearing.
Absent his mother's assistance, poor Prince William must advise his wife how to deal with
being a public figure all by himself.
Generally, Arbiter reckons,
"I think Kate and Diana would have got on very well. Kate would have found a great soulmate
in Diana."
As for Meghan, the former royal press secretary noted the People's Princess would have "put
her at ease" and helped the former actress navigate the tricky press relationship, of
which she had extensive experience. Diana would likely have provided a "sounding board"
for her daughter-in-law. Likewise, Arbiter opined,
"Diana would have advised Meghan on humanitarian issues in the United Kingdom and in which
direction to go."
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