Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, is weighing a potentially lucrative publishing deal that advisers warn could deepen fractures inside the British royal family, as financial pressures collide with lingering fallout from her past links to Jeffrey Epstein. People familiar with the matter say publishers have approached Ferguson with offers that could reach seven figures, even as those close to her caution that such a move could jeopardize fragile family relationships.
The debate unfolds against the backdrop of renewed scrutiny of Epstein-related figures and renewed strain within the royal household. Ferguson, 66, has been attempting to stabilize her public and financial standing following years of controversy, including her association with Epstein and the continued fallout surrounding Prince Andrew.
According to sources cited by RadarOnline, Ferguson has been warned that pursuing a memoir could come at a steep personal cost. One insider said she has been approached with "six or even seven-figure" offers but faces pressure to resist the temptation. Another source said, "She's looking for ways to secure her future and finances, and a book deal is an obvious lure."
Those close to Ferguson argue that the central risk is not financial but familial. A source familiar with the discussions said, "The concern isn't only about public reaction - it's the effect on her family ties." The same source added that "a book could stir up past conflicts and spark fresh tensions, especially with her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie."
Ferguson's relationship with her daughters has remained one of her few stable anchors after years of scandal. Insiders describe those bonds as "hugely strong," warning that any publication revisiting royal grievances could reverberate across the wider family. "Their bond is still hugely strong, and anything that strains it could have consequences across the wider royal family," one source said.
The pressure has intensified following decisions by King Charles to distance the monarchy from figures linked to the Epstein scandal. Ferguson and Prince Andrew were stripped of their remaining royal roles and financial privileges, and the couple later received an eviction notice from Royal Lodge, their longtime residence. Their connections to Epstein, including Ferguson's 2011 email in which she referred to him as a "supreme friend," have continued to shadow their efforts to rehabilitate their public standing.
Advisers say Ferguson has been urged to avoid repeating the path taken by Prince Harry, whose 2023 memoir Spare generated record sales but deepened rifts within the royal family. One source warned, "Even when done with good intentions, a tell-all can put family relationships under strain and attract intense media attention."
Another person close to the situation cautioned that any misstep could further damage relations with King Charles. "If she stirred up King Charles' wrath, it could end up wrecking what is left of her life," the source said, reflecting fears that remaining goodwill could evaporate.
Those counseling Ferguson have suggested alternative paths, including quieter commercial ventures or charitable work that would not reopen old controversies. "Private projects or charitable work" were cited by advisers as safer options that would avoid provoking renewed scrutiny.
Publishers, meanwhile, are said to continue pursuing her story aggressively, viewing her decades inside royal life as commercially irresistible. As offers "flood in," according to one source, Ferguson faces a decision that could define the next phase of her life - balancing financial necessity against the cost of reopening wounds that have yet to fully heal.
