‘Fergie was always rumoured to be meeting up in private with Prince Charles – always in secret parts of the palace and the palace grounds.’
‘While many have said that they were just friends and nothing scandalous happened, there were many royal insiders and palace aides at the time who believed the pair were enjoying a romance.
‘And seeing as both of them were single, no-one really cared.’
When Fergie started dating Andrew in 1985, and they then announced their engagement in 1986, things between the new couple and Charles became understandably complicated.
‘Andrew could never handle the romance and affair rumours about Fergie and Charles, even though it was supposed to have happened well before they started dating. It made him wild with jealousy,’ says the insider.
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And even when Sarah was embroiled in a series of sex and financial scandals, he supported his former flame.
‘When ‘toe-sucking gate’ happened, Charles was fighting in her corner.
‘And more recently, it was Charles who convinced The Queen to allow Fergie to attend Meghan and Harry’s wedding and even invite her to visit Balmoral for the summer.’
For the full story see this weeks issue of New Idea, on sale now.