Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has been welcomed back into the fold after years of estrangement. This Christmas, for the first time in over three decades, Ferguson was permitted to walk with the rest of the family from the royal estate in Sandringham to the nearby church for a morning service. The invitation, extended by King Charles III, is seen as a "rehabilitation" of Ferguson's place within the Royal Family, and a stark contrast to the treatment of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who stepped down as working royals in 2020.
According to royal expert Hilary Fordwich, the decision to invite Ferguson back into the Royal Family lies with King Charles III. "Extended family is important to him and his inviting her signifies a restoration of her place in the Royal Family," Fordwich told Fox News. The expert suggested that Ferguson has demonstrated "certain qualities" that the Royal Family values, such as loyalty and resilience in the face of adversity.
Ferguson's relationship with the Royal Family has been strained since 1992, when photos were released of financial adviser John Bryan sucking her toes. The incident led to her separation from Prince Andrew and her exclusion from many royal events. However, in recent years, Ferguson has shown unwavering support for the Royal Family, never complaining about her ouster or cashing in negatively on her experiences.
"Fergie's qualities are those valued by the family. She never complained after her ouster," Fordwich explained. "With the demise of Prince Andrew, she emphasized her support, showing resilience in face of adversity with her health issues."
The Royal Family's rallying around Ferguson during her battle with breast cancer earlier this year was a testament to the affection and respect she has earned over the years. "He wanted a heartwarming end to a challenging year for her," Fordwich said of King Charles III's decision to invite Ferguson to the Christmas walk.
In contrast, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship with the Royal Family has been strained since their departure as working royals and their subsequent interviews criticizing the institution. Fordwich suggested that the difference in treatment could be attributed to Ferguson's unwavering loyalty to the family.
"Fergie never burned bridges with the family," Fordwich noted. "Instead, she has been steadfast in her support of them all."
Former royal photographer Ian Pelham Turner also credited Queen Camilla with playing a role in Ferguson's comeback. "Camilla and Sarah have both faced the indignities in the past, causing upset to palace officials, and I think it is quite natural, now that the queen has the power and influence, she has introduced a much more public and private compassionate approach to the royal family when dealing with 'awkward situations,'" Turner told Fox News Digital.
Royal photographer and British broadcaster Helena Chard echoed this sentiment, highlighting the similarities between Queen Camilla and Ferguson. "Both ladies have similar gregarious characters, a huge amount in common and a mutual respect. They offer genuine warmth, empathy and a dedication in helping people, as does King Charles III. They both offer calming support and stabling influence to their family and are devoted to their charity work, both campaigning to raise awareness of certain conditions such as osteoporosis and cancer," Chard said.
As for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, their path back into the Royal Family's good graces may be more challenging. Christopher Andersen, author of "The King," suggested that Prince Harry's criticism of Queen Camilla in his memoir, "Spare," may have been an "unforgivable sin" in the eyes of King Charles III.
