Sarah Ferguson might not be as down on her luck as people think.

As the former Duchess of York tries to find a sustainable income after being banished from the royal family, one expert believes she's in better financial standing than most people.

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Ferguson's downfall

After friendly emails between Ferguson and Jeffrey Epstein surfaced, the mother of two was stripped of her titles, evicted from Royal Lodge and dropped by numerous charities. The publication of Ferguson's children's book was also canceled.

The 66-year-old is no stranger to scandal. In 2010, Ferguson was allegedly caught offering an undercover reporter access to her ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, for more than $665K.

Ferguson might not be 'broke'

Although Ferguson is looking for a new home and ways to make money, royal correspondent Jennie Bond doesn't think she's penny-pinching.

"Sarah has proved herself to be an extraordinarily resilient person," the commentator told The Mirror.

"She has rehabilitated herself in the past, even after behaving so badly, I thought it impossible," she continued. "Could she do it again? I doubt it after the disgrace of her email to Jeffrey Epstein."

"However, I have never believed that she was broke, at least not in the way most of us understand being broke," Bond said, adding that Ferguson "must have funds somewhere."

Where does Ferguson go next?

Reports surfaced alleging that Ferguson will be heading to Portugal to live with her daughter Princess Eugenie. However, she might have the funds to remain in England.

"Perhaps she does indeed want to stay in the Windsor area, where she has friends," Bond said.

"I am not, however, sure that the royal family would want to risk running into her, so I'm sure they would prefer her to settle further away," she added.

Is Ferguson moving in with her daughter?

If Ferguson leaves London to move in with Eugenie, the philanthropist will adapt easily to the Costa Terra Golf and Ocean Club in Melides, where her daughter lives.

"The word here is that Fergie will be arriving sometime in January," a neighbor told Daily Express.

"How long she'll stay is anyone's guess, but if it's a long-term move, I can guarantee she'll fit well into the social scene. Scores of celebrities and Hollywood stars have been snapping up properties in the area," the neighbor said.

Ferguson might go to the press for cash

Despite Bond's claims about Ferguson's financial situation, others fear the former duchess will do a bombshell interview about the royal family in exchange for a lucrative payday.

"She needs the cash. It's as simple as that," royal expert Samara Gill told The Sun's YouTube show Royal Exclusive.

"Both her and Andrew have absolutely nothing to lose at this point," she continued. "Who knows whose dirty laundry they will then air out? I don't think it'll be their own."

Prince William and Kate Middleton appeared in sync while greeting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

"In the stills photos we can see two very strong 'tells' from William and Catherine to illustrate the strength of their amusement and good humor," body language expert Judi James told Daily Express. "Catherine's smile entails dimples plus a tongue that has appeared between her teeth to the side of her mouth, which hints at high levels of inner fun."

"William's laugh here includes edge-to-edge teeth, which also signals how the couple are at the same level of playful enjoyment," James continued. "William's intense face-gazing behavior as he looks at his wife shows just how finely-tuned they are to each other's non-verbal signals and how strong his enjoyment is to be prompting what looks like a very carefree smile from her."

William and Kate's bond continues to shine over the years. During the Princess of Wales' cancer battle, William supported his wife through it all. While making an appearance on The Relucatant Traveler, William opened up about caring for Kate and King Charles III, who underwent cancer treatment at the same time.

"I'd say 2024 was the hardest year that I've ever had," William told Eugene Levy. "Trying to sort of balance protecting the children, Catherine, my father needs a bit of protection, but he's, you know, he's old enough to do that himself as well."

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"But it's important that my family feels protected and has the space to process a lot of the stuff that's gone on last year, and that was tricky trying to do that and keep doing the job," William continued. "But you know, we all have challenges that come our way, and it's important to keep going. So, you know, I enjoy my job, but sometimes there are aspects of it, such as the media, the speculation, you know, the scrutiny, that make it a little bit harder than other jobs. It's just making sure that doesn't overtake and intrude into areas at times when you just want a bit of space, and a bit of peace and quiet."

Prince Harry could help Meghan Markle repair her relationship with Thomas Markle.

"Harry knows estrangement. He made peace with his dad; now he wants Meghan to have the same chance," a source told Shuter Scoop. "He's been saying, 'Don't wait, do it now.'"

The insider claimed Harry is taking a "soft [and] compassionate" approach, while another source added that "he's showing Meghan what reconciliation looks like. And he hopes she takes it."

The Duchess of Sussex's family pushed for her to contact her father after his leg was amputated.

"I would implore Meghan and Harry to reach out to Dad," Thomas Markle Jr. told Daily Mail about his father, who was "heavily medicated" and "hooked up to all kinds of machines" last week.

Thomas Sr. himself admitted he hopes to see Meghan before he passes.

"Of course I want to speak to her, but I am not sure if these are the right circumstances," Thomas Sr. told the outlet.

"I've always said I am open to reconciling with my daughter. I have never stopped loving her," he continued. "I don't want to die estranged from Meghan. I want to meet my grandkids. It might be nice to meet her husband, too."

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In her explosive 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan opened up about the paparazzi scandal that ended her relationship with Thomas Sr.

"There was such an obsession about anything in my world, including tracking down my parents. And I did everything I could to protect both of them in that media frenzy," Meghan said. "But for over a year, the U.K. tabloids were trying to find my dad, offering people so much money to try to find his address."

"Once they did, I remember being told there was a huge headline like, 'We found him' or 'We've got him,'" the duchess continued. "You're talking about someone's father. And from that point, the tabloids, they moved into the apartment next door and across from him. Descended on this small town, which is giving him gifts. The whole thing brings us to where we are today."

Meghan was honest about how hurt she was by her father's actions.

"If we were going to use the word betrayal, it's because when I asked him, when we were told by the comms team, this is a story that was going to be coming out, which, by the way, the tabloids had apparently known for a month or so and decided to hold until the Sunday before our wedding because they wanted to create drama, which is also a really key point in all this," she said.

Prince William will create his own Christmas traditions once he becomes king.

According to an insider, William will end the royal custom of handing out gag gifts based on seniority.

"While William's mind is on much bigger changes than just the trestle table, it's well known to be one of those antiquated traditions that he's never really taken to," a source told Daily Mail. "You can expect that to be one of the first things to go when he eventually hosts his first Sandringham Christmas."

"William adores Zara, he would hate that the practice of leaving her to the back of a queue," the source continued about the prince's cousin. "It's just not William's way of doing things at home, and he has apparently quipped in the past that he wouldn't continue any of that stuff, though he appreciates his father does it for the nostalgia and as a way to remember the Queen."

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How is Prince William planning to reign when he takes the throne? In a candid chat with Eugene Levy during his programme, the Reluctant Traveler, the future King opens up about how he hopes to shake things up and lead in his own way. You can catch that on ITVX, YouTube, or on your favourite podcast platform. Want to get in touch? Email talkingroyals@itv.com or comment below

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Since becoming the Prince of Wales, William has been open about his vision for the future of the monarchy. In an episode of The Reluctant Traveler, William talked to Eugene Levy about what he wants to do with his role.

"I think it's safe to say that change is on my agenda," William said. "Change for good, and I embrace that, I enjoy that change. I don't fear it, that's the bit that excites me, the idea of being able to bring some change. Not overly radical, but changes that I think need to happen."

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"I think if you're not careful, history can be a real weight and an anchor around you, and you can feel suffocated by it, and restricted by it too much," he continued. "There are points when you look at tradition and go, is that still fit for purpose today? Is that still the right thing to do? Are we still doing and having the most impact we could be having?"

Meghan Markle's father, Thomas Markle, is once again begging his daughter for forgiveness.

"Of course I want to speak to her, but I am not sure if these are the right circumstances," Thomas told Daily Mail.

"I've always said I am open to reconciling with my daughter. I have never stopped loving her. I don't want to die estranged from Meghan. I want to meet my grandkids. It might be nice to meet her husband, too," he continued.

Meghan, who previously called herself a "daddy's girl," cut ties with Thomas when he was caught staging pictures with the paparazzi. Meghan hasn't seen her father since the incident, but it was reported that she "reached out" to her dad after years of not speaking.

According to an insider, Meghan might be stretching the truth.

"Mr. Markle is a VIP patient. Of course, we all know who he is," a source told the outlet. "If Meghan or anyone connected with her had called here we would have known. It is a big hospital by Filipino standards, but we all know each other, and we all talk."

"We were all confused when we saw the story that the duchess had reached out to her dad," the insider continued. "As far as we are aware, it didn't happen. We would love to see the duchess here in the Philippines!"

Daily Express reported Thomas seems to be "doing well" and needed the amputation due to a "massive blood clot" in his thigh, which stopped blood circulation in his leg.

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A spokesperson for Meghan confirmed that she contacted her father, but Thomas was reportedly "confused" by the statement. People shared that the duchess' biggest challenge is finding a working phone number for Thomas. However, the outlet claimed there was no indication that the email had not been received.

Prince Harry stunned Meghan Markle with his opinion about her cooking.

The Duke of Sussex made a stunning comment while appearing on his wife's Netflix special, With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration.

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What did Harry say?

While Meghan whipped up her mother Doria Ragland's Christmas Eve gumbo with Top Chef's Tom Colicchio, Harry dropped by to sample the dish.

After the father of two took a bite, he said, "I'm not so sure it's as good as your mum's, but it's certainly close."

The Suits star's mouth dropped open as she replied, "Oh my gosh. My mom will love you for that. What a good thing to say for your mother-in-law."

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TopChef's #TomColicchio makes his families tradional Beet Salad and Salt Cod and Meghan cooks up Mama Doria's Christmas Eve Gumbo as #PrinceHarry stops by for a taste and the episodes funniest moments #WithLoveMeghan #HarryandMeghan

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Meghan's 'authentic shock'

Body language expert Judi James thinks Meghan was taken off guard by her husband's candid opinion that will be watched by millions.

"It is claimed that there is no such thing as a joke, just a dig or a swipe at someone's expense, and although Meghan's response looks playful and 'mock' on the surface, her instantaneous side-eye as her mouth falls open in shock and her hands freeze in mid-air suggests some authentic shock that he would dare to draw any negative comparisons in front of her cameras when she is vying to be producing perfect levels of Christmas edible fare," she told Daily Express.

"[Harry] adopts a 'naughty child' air of crouching mock fear as he says this, but he seems to mistakenly believe that by complimenting her mother's cooking he will somehow be guaranteed to be pleasing her," James said.

"Harry clearly understands little about the complexities of a mother/daughter relationship, especially when the daughter is trying to pitch herself as some kind of world class food whisperer," she added.

Will Meghan get revenge?

Meghan frequently makes glowing public remarks about Harry and his work, but will the tides change?

"Will the banter battle continue through Harry's next big TV event?" James wondered. "Will Meghan be in front of the cameras at his Invictus Games jokingly telling him that his father [King Charles III]'s contribution to Invictus was better than his?"

"Meghan's support for Harry is always unswerving in the public eye, and it might have been fair for her to expect the same from him here," she said.

Meghan scores better ratings

Unlike the second season of With Love, Meghan, the 44-year-old's holiday special ranked in the top 10 series on Netflix in the United States.

The special scored the No. 8 spot during its first weekend on the streaming platform.

Season 2 of the program was not included in Luminate's Top 50 Streaming Charts after it debuted in August, meaning fewer than 1.11 million people watched.

Sarah Ferguson felt excluded by the royal family.

Years before her banishment from The Firm over her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the former Duchess of York felt distant from her ex-in-laws.

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Ferguson was not invited to William and Kate's wedding

In 2011, Ferguson — who divorced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in 1996 — told Oprah Winfrey she felt "totally worthless" after not being invited to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding.

"It was so difficult. I wanted to be there with my girls and to be getting them dressed and to go as a family," she said.

"And also, it was so hard because the last bride up that aisle was me," the 66-year-old added of her and the former Duke of York's 1986 nuptials.

Mountbatten-Windsor comforted Ferguson by reminding her how "perfect" their big day was.

Why wasn't Ferguson included?

In 2010, Ferguson was allegedly caught offering an undercover reporter access to her ex-husband for $665,712.50, igniting a public scandal.

"I felt that I ostracized myself by my behavior, by the past, by living with all the regrets of my mistakes," the mother of two told Winfrey.

"I sort of wore a hair shirt and beat myself up most of the day, thinking and regretting, 'Why did I make such a mistake? Why have I made so many mistakes?'" she continued.

How Ferguson found solace

Despite feeling abandoned by the royals, Ferguson admitted that the absence of her former sister-in-law Princess Diana brought her comfort.

"I really love the feeling that sort of Diana and I both weren't there," she said of William's mother, who died in a car crash in 1997.

"But I'm here to say how proud she would have been and Kate looked utterly beautiful," Ferguson noted.

William wanted Ferguson and Mountbatten-Windsor out

Before King Charles III officially stripped Mountbatten-Windsor and Ferguson of their titles and evicted them from their residence at Royal Lodge, the Prince of Wales was vocal about cutting ties with his uncle and former aunt over their connection to Epstein.

"The king does have empathy as Andrew is his brother, but William sees the couple as a threat to the monarchy," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital.

Journalist Hilary Fordwich also explained to the publication, "Prince William is focused on protecting the monarchy's future and its public image."

What will happen to Beatrice and Eugenie?

Ferguson and Mountbatten-Windsor will not be included in the family's Christmas Day celebrations at Sandringham this year.

Luckily, the ex-couple's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will still be welcomed by His Majesty and will retain their titles.

"I think that Charles feels quite responsible for these two girls, because it's been a hideous time for them. Really hideous," royal expert Ingrid Seward told The Sun.

"They've both got young children, and I know they've got supportive husbands, but they've both got young children, and I think it's been very, very difficult," she added.

Have Meghan Markle and her estranged father, Thomas Markle, made amends?

After the retired lighting director underwent emergency surgery to amputate his leg, the Duchess of Sussex's representative claimed she reached out. However, the 81-year-old tells a different story.

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Meghan's camp says she spoke to Thomas

Despite not having contact since 2018, Meghan's camp insisted that she'd spoken with Thomas after his surgery.

"I can confirm she has reached out to her father," the representative said in a statement to People.

The Suits actress distanced herself from the patriarch shortly before her wedding to Prince Harry. Meghan claimed Thomas lied to her about staging paparazzi photos for money.

Thomas claims Meghan did not reach out

While speaking with Caroline Graham for the Mail on Sunday, Thomas claimed Meghan never called him.

"Of course, I want to speak to her [Meghan], but I am not sure if these are the right circumstances," he said.

"I've always said I am open to reconciling with my daughter. I have never stopped loving her. I don't want to die estranged from Meghan," Thomas added. "I want to meet my grandkids. It might be nice to meet her husband, too."

Meghan's team confuses the press

According to royal expert Tom Sykes, Meghan's spokesperson initially denied questions about whether the Netflix star had contacted Thomas.

"After a fraught few minutes, Meghan's office changed its tune and, in an extraordinarily chaotic communications debacle, said that Meghan had indeed 'reached out' to Thomas Markle. However, they were unable to say if she had actually spoken to him," the reporter wrote on The Royalist's Substack.

Why did Thomas need surgery?

Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., told Daily Mail his father is in intensive care after a blood clot reportedly cut off circulation and required a life-saving surgery.

"My only wish is that Meghan shows my father some compassion. He is literally fighting for his life," Thomas Jr. said. "I took dad to a hospital close to our home, and they did various scans, and the doctors said his life was in imminent danger."

"They raced us by ambulance, with the sirens going, to a much bigger hospital in the center of the city," he continued. "My dad has undergone emergency surgery."

What happened between Meghan and Thomas?

In Meghan and Harry's infamous 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the mom of two opened up about the fallout with Thomas.

"We called my dad and I asked him… He said, 'No, absolutely not,'" she remembered about questioning her dad over selling stories to the media.

"I said, 'If you tell me the truth, we can help,' and he wasn't able to do that. And that, for me, has really resonated, especially now as a mother," Meghan added.

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Harry takes the blame

Because of the extreme attention surrounding the Duke of Sussex and the royal family, Harry feels he's to blame for the rift between Meghan and Thomas.

"She had a father before this and now she doesn't have a father," he explained in the interview, adding, "If Meg wasn't with me, then her dad would still be her dad."

Prince William and Kate Middleton's Forest Lodge rental agreement has been revealed.

It was initially believed that the estate was going to be the Waleses' "forever home," but The Crown Estate announced that the couple doesn't own the property.

"Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales hold a 20-year non-assignable lease with The Crown Estate for Forest Lodge, commencing 5 July 2025," a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Commons briefing said. "Previously a 'grace and favor' residence, it was returned to The Crown Estate by HM Queen Elizabeth II in the early 1990s and has since been let on the open market," it continues."

"Following an approach from HRH The Prince of Wales and discussions with the Royal Household, the Commissioners were asked to consider entering into a lease of the Property to TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales for use as their primary private residence," the briefing continued.

The Crown Estate commissioned independent valuations to ensure the contract was held at a fair standard.

"Negotiations were conducted on an arm's length basis, to ensure appropriate market terms were agreed. Two independent valuers (Hamptons and Savills) were appointed by The Crown Estate to provide valuations of the Property and to review the final Heads of Terms," it said.

Before the document was published, insiders claimed that William and Kate plan to stay at Forest Lodge once they ascend to the throne.

"The new house marks a new era for the family," a source told Us Weekly. "The decision to move into this new home is a significant one that signals independence, though it is not entirely surprising."

The source later hinted at William and Kate relocating to Forest Lodge to maintain a sense of normalcy for their three kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

"They have witnessed how the role of monarch can consume one's entire being," the source noted. "While they take their responsibilities very seriously, they are not afraid to say no when necessary."

"To outsiders, it may seem like a big move for the royals to not live in Buckingham Palace, but to insiders, it is not surprising," they continued. "King Charles has not lived there for a long time either and prefers to spend time outside of London."