Queen Camilla and senior members of the British royal family are reportedly scrambling to contain fresh reputational fallout after a new book alleged that Sarah Ferguson had a secret years-long "friends with benefits" relationship with imprisoned music mogul Sean Combs, claims both camps have strongly denied.
The allegations, published in royal author Andrew Lownie's new book Entitled, have reignited scrutiny around the York family at a time when Buckingham Palace has been attempting to distance itself from years of scandal tied to Prince Andrew and his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
According to Lownie's account, Ferguson and Combs allegedly met at a 2002 party hosted by Ghislaine Maxwell and later entered into what he described as a private sexual relationship that allegedly continued for several years.
Representatives for Ferguson and Combs have rejected the story outright. Ferguson's side reportedly described the allegations as "fabricated nonsense," while representatives for Combs dismissed them as "utterly ridiculous gossip." None of the claims contained in the book have been independently verified or tested in court.
Still, the allegations have reportedly triggered alarm inside palace circles because of the explosive overlap between the York family, Epstein-era controversies and Combs' own legal troubles in the United States.
Closer magazine cited unnamed royal insiders saying that King Charles III, Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales were "mortified" by the renewed headlines linking Ferguson to another major sex scandal.
"King Charles and Queen Camilla especially find the whole circus mortifying," one source told Closer. "Camilla's furious, she genuinely thought that chapter of royal scandal was finally fading into the background."
Lownie's book goes further, alleging Combs became "royal family-obsessed" and made crude remarks about Ferguson and her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. The author also claims Ferguson introduced the sisters to Combs on several occasions.
None of those assertions have been substantiated independently, and neither Buckingham Palace nor representatives for Beatrice and Eugenie publicly commented on the allegations.
The controversy lands at an especially difficult moment for the York family.
Prince Andrew remains under public scrutiny over his long-running ties to Epstein and the settlement he reached in 2022 with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault. Andrew denied the allegations but agreed to settle the civil lawsuit reportedly for as much as £12 million.
Earlier this year, Andrew was also reportedly arrested and released under investigation over allegations tied to misconduct in public office connected to his former role as Britain's trade envoy. That inquiry remains ongoing.
Royal insiders quoted by Closer said the latest Ferguson controversy has intensified frustration within the monarchy, particularly among younger royals attempting to stabilize the institution's public image after years of reputational crises.
One source claimed Prince William was "furious" that the monarchy continues to be dragged back into damaging scandals tied to past royal associations. The same report said Catherine, Princess of Wales found the situation "upsetting and exhausting."
The renewed spotlight has reportedly been especially difficult for Beatrice and Eugenie, who have spent years trying to maintain lower public profiles while navigating controversy surrounding both parents.
"The renewed attention has completely rattled them - particularly Princess Beatrice, who is exhausted from trying to steady both parents through an endless cycle of damaging headlines," an unnamed source told Closer.
