It’s been a long time coming, but Sarah Ferguson is finally wreaking revenge on the royal family for ousting her from their inner circle.
In a shock twist of events, Fergie is back stirring up trouble at the palace, using daughters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice to create drama, insiders tell New Idea.
Senior members of ‘The Firm’ were out in force on the weekend at Trooping the Colour, long seen as a highlight in the royal calendar. But behind the united front – with popular Harry, Meghan, Wills, Kate and their adorable children centre-stage on the balcony at Buckingham Palace – their meddlesome aunt Fergie is up to her old tricks.
The palace had hoped inviting Fergie to Meghan and Harry’s wedding, after many years of estrangement, would be seen as a very public olive branch.
SEE MORE: Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew reunite
After her divorce from Prince Andrew in 1994, it finally looked like she’d been forgiven for damaging the family’s reputation with her outrageous behaviour, including infamous toe-sucking photos, brazen affairs, moneygrabbing antics and trying to cash in on royal connections by selling access to her ex-husband.
But instead of being grateful, Fergie sees being back in the clique as a chance to put in place a plan she’s had brewing for over 24 years.
‘We all thought Fergie had sunk into obscurity in shame after all her scandals – but it appears she’s back and seeking revenge against all those who made her life hell,’ reveals a top palace aide.
With the focus on Wills, Harry and their expanding families, Fergie and her girls have been hell-bent on stealing their thunder with a last-minute proposal – and now a rumoured pregnancy – after a glowing Beatrice made a surprise visit to Sydney last week.
‘First it was Fergie encouraging Eugenie’s beau Jack Brooksbank to propose just weeks after Harry and Meghan’s engagement was announced, to try to steal their limelight – and now it seems the duchess is using Beatrice to outrage the royal family even more!’ says the well-placed insider.
SEE MORE: Princess Beatrice’s baby bombshell
SEE MORE: Beatrice, Eugenie and Camilla attack Meghan
‘After Meghan and Harry’s honeymoon, everyone is expecting a baby announcement.
They’ve made no secret of their desire to have a baby straight away and even admitted they’d started trying to fall pregnant before the wedding.
‘The palace has already drafted baby press releases ahead of the news coming through – everyone is on tenterhooks, convinced an announcement is imminent.’
Meanwhile whispers of Beatrice’s pregnancy surfaced a few months back. And now the unmarried daughter seems to be starting to show, she flew Down Under to stay under the radar and be with the father, who is believed to be Australian.
Visiting a number of hospitals in Sydney last week, Beatrice was seen wearing flowing clothes, which onlookers suggested could be hiding her growing bump.
‘Beatrice was in hiding in Sydney to conceal the early stages of her pregnancy bump, but Fergie is using the situation to taunt Harry and Meghan, saying her daughter’s surprise baby news will trump the newlyweds’ baby announcement,’ says the source.
‘It’s pretty outrageous – no-one can believe Beatrice has pipped Meghan to the post with a pregnancy. Especially to this secret Australian boyfriend who’s literally popped up out of nowhere,’ spills the source.
However, Fergie’s tactics could backfire as it’s made Kate and the Queen even more determined to show their staunch support for Meghan.
The Queen’s decision to make her first joint appearances with Meghan this week is seen as a strong signal that Fergie’s games will not succeed.
In an unprecedented step, the Queen and Meghan will travel overnight on the Royal Train, giving them a chance to spend quality time together as they head to Cheshire.
From there, they will undertake three engagements on Thursday: officially opening the Mersey Gateway Bridge and the Storyhouse Theatre before attending a lunch at Chester Town Hall.
It will be the first engagements Meghan carries out without Harry, and alone with the Queen, so it marks a significant milestone in her new royal life.
It took almost a year after Kate’s marriage before she had a similar solo engagement with the Queen – and even then, Camilla was also invited.
But that hasn’t stopped Kate being equally supportive of Princess Meghan.
‘She’s had her own share of battles with the likes of Camilla over the years and doesn’t want the tension running Meghan to the ground,’ adds the source.
‘All the senior royals know Fergie is just angry that her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie have been overlooked for official royal jobs and they’ve moved right down the pecking order in the line of succession.
‘This might be Fergie’s ultimate revenge after all the angst she’s suffered over the years since she was booted from the royal family.’
For the full story see this weeks issue of New Idea – out now!
The Royal Wedding Debrief! What happened after Meghan and Harry’s big day? We talk through why their wedding will go down in history as one of the most entertaining and romantic. In the latest episode of the New Idea Royals podcast, Frances Sheen and royal expert Angela Mollard take you behind the scenes of the big day – from the bride’s stunning dresses to the surprise guest list – and talk through all the highlights that kept us all riveted.
