Amid the continuing fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, Prince Andrew’s status in the royal family appears increasingly fragile.
Last week it was announced he had been dramatically dis-invited from a string of public appearances he was set to attend in Northern Ireland, and reports emerged that the Queen is “concerned and distressed” by her once-favourite son’s downfall.
WATCH: Prince Andrew seen laughing with celebrity media lawyer
Now New Idea has learnt exclusively that Sarah Ferguson, who this week turns 60, is plotting a move she hopes might deflect attention away from her disgraced ex.
In a shock move that could cause huge implications for the royal family and will blow the lid on a 23-year secret, she’s considering leaking a previously unreleased recording.
In the mid-1990s, after the announcement of her divorce from Andrew, the Duchess of York reportedly recorded an explosive interview revealing her true thoughts on an array of controversial subjects.
According to a royal insider, Fergie used the opportunity to open up about Princess Diana and their tumultuous friendship, as well as her real opinion of Andrew’s relatives.
“Fergie also left no stone unturned with regards to exactly what she thought of all the members of the royal family – in particular Anne and Philip. She didn’t hold back and it was probably her most candid and at times brutal interview to date,” explains the source.
At the time of the interview, Sarah had been effectively pushed out of the royal family and presumably decided she had little left to lose.
The year before, Princess Margaret famously wrote the duchess a letter in which she stated, “You have done more to bring shame on the family than could ever have been imagined”.
Meanwhile Sarah and Diana – whose divorce from Charles had also just been finalised – went from being close friends who holidayed together with their children during the Northern Hemisphere summer of 1996, to falling out after the publication of the duchess’ autobiography that November.
It is now being speculated this previously unreleased interview might reveal what really happened between the women.
“She spoke at length about her friendship with Diana and all the ups and downs, all the secrets that Diana had told her and never divulged to anyone else,” says the insider.
Fergie may also have unwittingly – or even purposefully – revealed something about Diana in the interview that was too shocking to be heard in public at the time.
After all, Fergie wrote in her autobiography about how she and Diana became especially close in 1991 when they began to talk to each other about their own marital break-ups, hinting they shared confidential information.
“We burned the phone wires into the night, trading secrets and jokes that no-one else would understand,” Fergie revealed.
But in 1996, Sarah had also launched a bid to rehabilitate her image and after going into debt, had embarked on what she’s since described as a “four-year-earning spree” in the US, during which time she became a Weight Watchers spokesperson.
“While she was ready to release it back in the ’90s, she got cold feet and pulled the plug and has been sitting on it ever since,” explains the insider.
It’s thought the main reason Sarah is considering releasing the recording now is that she considers it the perfect way to help Andrew, who has always been steadfast in supporting her, despite the many mistakes she’s made in the past.
“At this point, Fergie is desperate to deflect all the heat off Andrew. She’s used to being surrounded by drama and scandal so isn’t too worried about the attention ‒ and if it means giving Andrew a break from all the Epstein drama he’s engulfed in, then that’s a good thing.”
But conscious that she’s only just been allowed back into the royal family fold, it’s thought Sarah will approach the Queen with her idea to ensure she has official approval before she makes her move.
“Fergie’s just weighing up her options now, but she’s definitely considering it,” the insider says.
For more, see this week’s New Idea – out now!
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