Sarah Ferguson went from one of the most loved members of the Royal family – even being branded as Queen Elizabeth’s favourite – to a relative outcast, banned from the Royal family’s home, and at the receiving end of open contempt by Prince Philip.
Most of the drama that followed the Duchess of York happened after her divorce from Prince Andrew, but even during her marriage to the Duke of York, ‘Fergie’ was branded a ‘galumphing imbecile’ over a particularly embarrassing Royal incident.
Even though Andrew and Fergie – who share daughter’s Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie – have remained close over the years, a major PR gaffe caused those in Buckingham Palace to cast serious judgement.
WATCH: Sarah Ferguson and Prince Philip ‘can’t be in the same room together’
Back in 1987, a number of Royal Family members appeared on a TV game show called It’s A Royal Knockout, among those who participated were Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
The royal family members were made to dress up in mock medieval outfits – alongside other British celebrities – all in the name of charity.
The show – which was the brainchild of Prince Edward – was successful in its goal of raising money, however, was widely branded as a PR disaster.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “The It’s a Royal Knockout event, created and organised by Prince Edward, who has become one of the most conscientious of royals in recent years, became a byword for shameless vulgarity and sheer idiocy.
“That it happened at all showed appalling judgement on all concerned.
“It is extraordinary that it was not stopped.”
“The absence of dignity among the royals was what horrified the audience,” Mr Fitzwilliams continued.
“It was supposed to make the Royal Family trendy but was a harbinger of horrors to come in the 1990s with the Duchess of York revealed as a galumphing imbecile which events subsequently confirmed to be accurate.”
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