Princess Beatrice 'cried for days' after Fergie scandal
There’s no denying the obvious bond between Sarah Ferguson and her eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, but their relationship has gone through some hard times in the past.
Back in 2010, Sarah Ferguson is reported to have left a then 21-year-old Beatrice in tears, after a scandal which rocked the royal family.
The Duchess of York was caught up in a sting operation by the News of the World, where she was secretly filmed by undercover reporter ‘Fake Sheikh’ Mazher Mahmood, agreeing to grant him access to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, in exchange for £500,000.
According to The Express, a friend of Beatrice’s told American journalist Edward Klein in 2011 that the young royal was left devastated by her mum’s betrayal.
Princess Beatrice embarrassed
“Beatrice was clearly embarrassed when it was revealed that Fergie took money to introduce an undercover reporter to Prince Andrew,” Klein said.
“A friend went to Royal Lodge to comfort Beatrice, who wouldn’t leave the house because she was so ashamed and didn’t want to have to deal with the press.
“The friend spent two nights with her while she cried.”
READ MORE: Sarah Ferguson turns heads in sheer gown at charity ball
Fergie exposed by undercover reporter
In tapes released by the News of the World, Fergie was heard telling Mahmood that if he transferred the funds into her personal account, she would grant him access to Prince Andrew - the father of her two children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
"That opens up everything you would ever wish for. I can open any door you want, and I will for you. Look after me and he'll look after you … you'll get it back tenfold,” Fergie was heard saying.
Prince Andrew came out saying he ‘categorically’ denied having any knowledge of his ex-wife’s plan and later Fergie said she ‘deeply regretted’ letting the family down.
It wasn’t the only time a Fergie scandal rippled through Buckingham Palace, as she was also pictured, while still married to Prince Andrew, having her toe sucked by financial adviser Johnny Bryant, on a yacht.
Fergie and Prince Andrew’s relationship
Fergie has been open about her financial struggles around that time in the past, saying it it weren’t for Prince Andrew’s kindness, she would be ‘homeless’.
Despite divorcing 22 years ago, the couple still live together at Royal Lodge in Windsor.
