Prince Andrew was arrested in February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in public office in connection with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
NEED TO KNOW
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Prior to his arrest, the former Duke of York was stripped of his titles in October 2025 amid public scrutiny for his ties to Epstein; his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson also lost her titles as Duchess of York
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After months of her whereabouts being unknown, the former Duchess of York was spotted for the first time on April 16
Many were caught up in the fallout fromPrince Andrew's stripped titles and arrest, but few more so than hisex-wife,Sarah Ferguson.
Ferguson was married to the former Duke of York — now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — for nearly six years before their 1992 separation. They finalized their divorce in 1996, with Fergusonreceiving a settlement estimated at around $475,000.
The former couple became wrapped up in controversy in 2025 when several revelations surfaced about their ties to convicted sex offenderJeffery Epstein. Ferguson's career saw its first big hit in September 2025, when she wasdropped as the patronof multiple charitable organizations, shortly after an email she sent to the convicted sex offender in 2011 apologizing for publicly disowning him surfaced.
Andrew — who has long denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein — stepped back from royal duties in November 2019 following backlash from aNewsnightinterview regarding his friendship with the disgraced financier, and was officiallystripped of his titlesin October 2025. In February 2026, Andrew wasarrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. A few days before his arrest, the Thames Valley Police confirmed it wasinvestigating a complaint that"suspected misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets," alleging that the former Duke of York shared confidential information with the sex offender in relation to his role as a trade envoy, which he held for a decade beginning in 2001.
Despite their split, the parents of two remained amicable over the years, and even continued living together at Windsor. Ferguson continued to live a royal lifestyle, butlost her Duchess of York titlewhen Andrew was stripped of his honors. After Andrew's arrest in February 2026, Ferguson remained completely out of the public eye with her whereabouts unknown. That is, until April 16, when British newspaperThe Sunreported that she had been seen for the first time.
So, where is Sarah Ferguson now? Here's everything to know about her life after ex-Prince Andrew's arrest.
Several emails released with the Epstein Files revealed Ferguson's ties to the convicted sex offender
As the Department of Justice (DOJ) released some of the Epstein Files in 2025 and 2026, both Ferguson and Andrew's ties to the late sex offender continued to surface.
In an August 2009emailfrom Ferguson to Epstein, she seemingly thanked him for helping her with brand deals and thanked him for "being the brother I have always wished for."
In amessagedated Jan. 30, 2010, Ferguson praised Epstein, writing, "You are a legend. I really don't have the words to describe my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness."
She added, "Xx I am at your service. Just marry me."
In a May 2010email exchangereleased by the DOJ in February 2026, Ferguson said she "desperately" needed money and suggested that Epstein hire her to work as his house assistant.
"But why I don't understand, don't you just get me to be your House Assistant. I am the most capable and desperately need the money," the former Duchess of York wrote in the email, adding, "Please Jeffrey think about it."
The email exchanges took place after the convicted sex offender had served 13 months in jail for soliciting and procuring an underage girl for prostitution.
She reportedly checked into a luxury wellness clinic in December
As revelations of Ferguson's relationship with Epstein continued to surface, theDaily Mailreported that the former Duchess of York left the United Kingdom and checked into Paracelsus Recovery, a Swiss rehabilitation clinic. PEOPLE has not independently confirmed the report.
According to the outlet, Ferguson left for the exclusive mental health and rehabilitation facility — which is located in Zurich — following Christmas in 2025 and stayed through the end of January 2026. (Ferguson previously appeared in promotional videos for the clinic and penned an op-ed about it forThe Telegraph.)
"[Ferguson] always feels at home at Paracelsus, and knows she'll get love and attention there, as well as expert health treatment when she's feeling at her most vulnerable," a source told theDaily Mail.
Another source said that Ferguson has a "strong relationship with Paracelsus, so it was the obvious place for her to get away from everything."
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Ferguson wasn't seen for months amid Andrew's stripping of titles and arrest
Amid all of the controversies, Ferguson's whereabouts remained discreet, as she hasn't attended any public events since September 2025.
She was last spotted out among family and friends at the christening of her granddaughter Athena,Princess Beatrice's second baby, in December 2025.
That same month, a source told PEOPLE that she and Andrewhad until Jan. 31, 2026, to move out of the Windsor residencethat they had long shared.
By January, PEOPLE understood that Fergusonplanned to spend time overseasas she considered her next moves and considered her long-term living situation.
In the weeks to follow, there were several stories and rumors about her whereabouts, some saying she was moving around the world and staying with friends, and others claiming that she was at the home of her friendPriscilla Presley, which Presley's repdenied to PEOPLE.
Six companies linked to Ferguson shuttered in the wake of Epstein scandal
As revelations about Ferguson's relationship with Epstein surfaced, six companies linked to the former Duchess of York were closed.
According to Companies House, which incorporates and dissolves companies in the U.K., applications were filed in February 2026 to strike the following companies from the register: S. Phoenix Events Limited, Fergie's Farm, La Luna Investments, Solamoon Limited, Philanthrepreneur Limited and Planet Partners Productions Limited.
Ferguson was listed as the sole director of the six companies, per documents reviewed by PEOPLE at the time. PEOPLE also previously reported that no creditors were owed money.
It is unclear if the businesses are officially shut down as of April 2026.
A source told PEOPLE in March 2026 that the scandals have "really hit" Ferguson
In March 2026, several friends of Ferguson spoke to PEOPLE about the scandals and how she was reacting, including one who said "this has really hit her."
Andrew Lownie, author ofEntitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, told PEOPLE that Ferguson, believed then to be hiding abroad, will "find it very hard to come back."
Another insider said that Ferguson "always thinks she can bounce back," but "this isn't something that can blow over."
Where is Sarah Ferguson now?
On April 16,The Sunreported that Ferguson had been tracked down to a mountain hideaway in the Austrian Alps, her first spotting in months.
The outlet shared photos that showed Ferguson standing outside a dark van and carrying a teal tote bag, wearing a casual blue jacket, dark pants and a white baseball cap.
A source told the outlet that she has "been keeping an incredibly low profile while high up in the Alps."
"The area is absolutely beautiful and it's very quiet most of the time, so it's the perfect place for a high-profile figure such as her to lie low when the heat is on," the source added.
PEOPLE reached out to Ferguson's rep for comment but did not hear back.
Read the original article onPeople
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