“Not good for my mental health”: Sarah Ferguson struggles as friends distance themselves and Royal Lodge exit looms
Sarah Ferguson is said to be facing an increasingly difficult emotional period, with reports suggesting her mental health has declined as those closest to her and Prince Andrew begin to pull away in the days leading up to their exit from Royal Lodge.
According to the Daily Mirror, the former Duchess of York has privately admitted to friends that the loss of her royal privileges and the prospect of leaving her long-time home have taken a serious toll. She reportedly told remaining confidants that losing her royal perks and royal home is “not good for my mental health.”
Sources close to the situation claim the emotional strain has left Ferguson deeply unsettled. Beatrice and Eugenie’s mother is described as being “on a knife-edge and bursting out crying several times a day. She’s really not sure what the future holds.”
Those familiar with the ex-couple’s inner circle say several friends have begun “shunning” them, further compounding their sense of isolation. The past year has been particularly turbulent for both Ferguson and Prince Andrew.
In 2025, renewed media scrutiny surrounding their historic association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein reportedly brought fresh distress. The resurfacing of the scandal, alongside new revelations, placed the pair back under an unforgiving spotlight and reignited public criticism.
That pressure appears to have influenced decisive action from the monarchy. In October, King Charles responded to growing public calls for distance between the Crown and the Duke and Duchess of York. The monarch formally stripped his brother of the remaining “style, titles and honours,” meaning the former duke is now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The changes did not end there. King Charles also instructed Andrew to leave Royal Lodge, the private Windsor residence he has shared with Ferguson for years. Instead, Andrew has reportedly been offered alternative private accommodation near Sandringham, marking a significant shift in both status and lifestyle.
The Palace’s stance on the matter was underscored in a statement from the King and Queen, which emphasized where their priorities lie. They made clear that “their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
For Ferguson, the emotional impact of these developments appears to be deeply personal. Friends suggest she is grappling not only with uncertainty about housing and finances, but also with a loss of identity after decades linked to royal life. The erosion of social ties, combined with relentless public scrutiny, is said to have left her feeling vulnerable and unsure of her place in the world.
While neither Ferguson nor Andrew has spoken publicly in detail about their current state, those close to them describe a period of real upheaval. With the future unclear and long-standing routines disappearing, the former duchess is reportedly trying to hold herself together amid a profound sense of loss.
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