Fergie has gone to ground in the wake of the Epstein scandal – but sources claim she has turned to two of her former flames to help keep her location under wraps
Where in the world is Sarah Ferguson? It’s been months now since the disgraced former duchess was last seen in public, with whispers swirling that she’s been in destinations as far flying as Dubai, Switzerland and Ireland. But her exact location remains a mystery.
Fergie, 66, is said to be on a ‘secret sofa-surfing world tour’ which has seen her moving from the home of one loyal and discreet friend to another. She is also reportedly in possession of three different mobile phones as she continues to hide out.
One pal, describing Andrew’s ex-wife as ‘dishevelled’, said this week that Sarah “really is low”. They added that she hasn’t been taking care of her roots or keeping up with her Botox, and continually rotates through her three phones because she is afraid of being tracked.
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A source told the Daily Mail: “She has been asking, ‘How am I going to get through this?’ She complains a lot about being broke – although I don’t know if that is broke in the sense that you or I would understand it. Her friends have been joking that they wouldn’t be surprised to find her selling her old handbags on Vinted.”
Sarah is said to be on speaking terms with her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten Windsor – but the bond that once saw her declare them to be the ‘happiest divorced couple in the world’ has been broken. As she distances herself from Andrew, Fergie is believed to have turned to some of her former flames in order to keep her location under wraps.
According to the friend, the ex-royal is currently staying somewhere that is like a castle and has an Italian count looking after her. And the count in question could be Count Gaddo della Gherardesca, her boyfriend between late 1997 and early 1998 following her divorce from Andrew. The 86-year-old has an enormous home in Tuscany, as well as a ski lodge in Verbier.
It’s not the only ex alleged to have come to Sarah’s aid. Last month it was reported that she was hiding at the Wiltshire home of 88-year-old Paddy McNally. She dated the former racing driver and motorsports executive for three years before marrying Andrew, and the pair have remained close. He also has properties in the Swiss ski resort Verbier and in St Tropez in the south of France.
Sarah seems to be reliant on the kindness of her loyal, wealthy friends. According to the one source, there are a number of people – including some well-known names – that are still quietly faithful to Fergie and wealthy enough to house her. But they want to keep that connection under wraps.
It comes after reports that Sarah feels “incredibly betrayed” by members of the Royal Family in the wake of the Epstein scandal. A source told Heat World the mother of two is “very bitter” following the fallout, adding: “What people don’t see is just how low she’s sunk. Every time she opens a paper or goes online, it’s another reminder that she’s completely on the outside and there’s no real way back, and she’s really struggling to come to terms with that.
“Instead of dealing with it, she’s numbing it — and that’s only making everything worse. It fuels a cycle where she starts ranting and then feels even more isolated the next day.”
