Sarah Ferguson Reflects on Royal Departure and Offers Perspective on Sussexes' Megxit
In a recent interview with The Independent, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, shared her insights on leaving royal life and moving forward without regrets, drawing comparisons to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's departure from the monarchy, known as Megxit. Ferguson married Prince Andrew in 1986 and divorced in 1996, subsequently stepping away from the royal family to become an author and philanthropist.
Addressing the challenges she faced with the press while part of the royal family, Ferguson expressed empathy for the Sussexes' struggles, acknowledging the pressures of living in the public eye. She noted that social media likely exacerbates these challenges today and called for more kindness, stating that she does "not believe in judging anyone."
The Duchess also discussed her perspective on the significance of royal titles for her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, stating that she never thought about it and continues not to, as she believes that "true humility comes from your heart."
Regarding her departure from the royal family, Ferguson emphasized the importance of fully committing to her decision and not blaming anyone else. She said, "You can't sit on the fence and keep one foot in and one foot out," adding, "If I'm going to go, then go."
Comparisons between Ferguson and the Sussexes, who left royal life in 2020, are inevitable. Like the Duchess of York, Harry and Meghan now reside in the United States, focusing on their own endeavors. However, unlike Ferguson, the Sussexes initially sought a "part-time" royal arrangement, which Queen Elizabeth II denied, reinforcing the sentiment that "You're either in or out."
Another contrast between the Duchess of York and the Sussexes is their response to media intrusion. While Ferguson accepted press attention as part of her royal life, Harry and Meghan have pursued legal battles against British tabloids for invasion of privacy.
Furthermore, the Sussexes have criticized the monarchy and the royal family in multiple interviews and projects, including the explosive Oprah interview, the Netflix docuseries "Harry & Meghan," and Prince Harry's memoir "Spare."
Despite the ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the royals, Ferguson remains optimistic about a potential reconciliation, stressing the importance of "family unity" and the three C's: "communicate, compromise, and compassion."