The Queen, 94, was livid with Sarah Ferguson after she had been photographed on holiday with Texan millionaire John Bryan in a compromising position after separating from Prince Andrew. The Duke and Duchess of York had not yet divorced when the images came to light. Speaking on the Channel 5 documentary, Fergie Vs Diana: Royal Wives At War, royal expert Jenny Bond explained how embarrassed the Queen felt by the photos.
Ms Bond said: “It was excruciatingly embarrassing.
“She then went to the Queen and the Queen was livid.
“She was absolutely furious with Sarah.”
Narrator Glynis Barber added: “After her toe-curlingly awkward morning at Balmoral, Fergie made her exit.
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“Diana was rumoured to have played her part in the timing of Fergie’s frontpage story but why?”
Psychologist Jo Hemmings said: “It’s not the friendliest thing to do but if she’s desperate, maybe she thought that was a sacrifice worth making for her own sanity.”
Ms Barber continued: “But Diana’s tactics to divert the media spotlight from her to friend, Fergie was shortlived.
“Her own scandalous revelation took the heat off Fergie.”
The head of state had travelled with Philip to Balmoral in early August.
The couple went ahead with their annual stay in the Highlands after spending the previous four months at their Berkshire residence at Windsor Castle, with a reduced household dubbed HMS Bubble.
A palace spokesman said last week that the Queen and Philip intended to move from Balmoral “to spend time privately on the Sandringham Estate”.
The spokesman added: “Subject to the finalisation of the autumn programme, Her Majesty’s intention is to return to Windsor Castle in October and to resume the use of Buckingham Palace for selected audiences and engagements.
“These plans will be kept under review and will of course be subject to all relevant guidance and advice.”
