Sarah Ferguson ‘In a Bad Way’ Following Ex-Husband Andrew’s Arrest

The former Duchess now faces financial ruin, public disgrace, and a shattered royal dream.

Sarah Ferguson, the once-sparkling Duchess of York, is said to be in a state of emotional and financial collapse following the sensational arrest of her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor last Thursday, 19 February, in connection with the widening Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Sarah Ferguson attends the amfAR Cannes Gala 30th edition Presented by Chopard and Red Sea International Film Festival at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on 23 May 2024 in Cap d'Antibes, France. | Source: Getty Images

Now, she is reportedly desperate to get back to work, but shattered by the fallout, according to friends close to the embattled royal. She has not been seen in public for five months.

The former duchess had long dreamed of settling in Windsor, near daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie — but sources now claim she may be forced to abandon the idea altogether and seek financial refuge in the United Arab Emirates.

A royal insider told the Daily Mail, "I've been talking to some of her friends. She sounds in a bad way. She's been telling people she is really suffering with her mental health and thinks everyone is out to get her."

Sarah Ferguson attends on Day 4 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on 20 June 2025 in Ascot, England. | Source: Getty Images

While Ferguson is said to be determined to rebuild her public image and income, those close to her admit it's hard to see a way forward.

One confidant confessed that her most valuable asset now may be her story — a candid, explosive account of how her family's ties to Epstein "destroyed everything".

Sarah Ferguson is seen in one of the images released by the US Department of State on 19 December 2025. | Source: Getty Images

But while a tell-all memoir or media appearance could bring in much-needed cash, the source claims Ferguson has so far refused to go down that path.

"Besides she might end up having to tell that story to the police and a judge and jury or to some other form of inquiry," the insider added.

Sarah Ferguson is seen in one of the images released by the US Department of State on 19 December 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Another royal source believes Ferguson is torn between two worlds — a quieter life in Windsor close to her family, or a more lucrative future in the Gulf.

"I think she'd like to stay in the Windsor area to make it relatively easy for Beatrice and Eugenie to visit with her grandchildren," they said. "But I can see the arguments for basing herself in the Gulf if she really thinks she can still make money."

Meanwhile, the UAE — where she has long-standing connections — could offer both financial security and anonymity, something Ferguson may soon find irresistible.

Crown Prince Abdullah of Dubai and Sarah Ferguson attend La Dolce Vita Event in Aid of The Sarah Ferguson Foundation at Cipriani Wall Street on 1 November 2007 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams painted a grim picture of Ferguson's prospects, declaring bluntly:

"Sarah Ferguson has no future at all. She's shamed and her businesses are closed down, and certainly no charity would touch her and a great deal more will come out. We're not at the end."

Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor attend the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral on 16 September 2025 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Fitzwilliams said keeping a lower profile and showing genuine humility might serve her well, but expressed doubts over whether Ferguson was capable of either.

"It's not in her temperament," he remarked gravely, warning that the full scale of the scandal's impact remains unknown. He added that Ferguson ought to be deeply worried about the revelations that have already emerged.

Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor attend Day 4 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on 21 June 2019 in Ascot, England. | Source: Getty Images

Those warnings proved prophetic.

Last week, it was revealed that six of Ferguson's companies are being wound down — all set to close within the next ten days. A once bustling portfolio now lies in tatters.

Sarah Ferguson attends the Easter Mattins Service at Windsor Castle on 31 March 2024 in Windsor, England. | Source: Getty Images

And it's not just the former duchess who's been emotionally devastated. Sources say her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie are also "in a state" following the shocking arrest of their father.

Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into custody by plain-clothed officers in a dramatic 8 a.m. raid at his Wood Farm residence on his 66th birthday, where he endured 11 hours of police questioning.

Unmarked vehicles seen at King Charles III's Sandringham Estate on 19 February 2026. | Source: Facebook/The Mirror

By Friday morning, police had returned, this time seen attending the Norfolk property shortly after 6 a.m., with vehicles spotted entering Royal Lodge — further fuelling speculation that the investigation is far from over.

Yet amid the growing public outcry, neither Ferguson nor her daughters have issued a statement, and their silence has only deepened the mystery surrounding their whereabouts. However, a new report has shed light on Ferguson's

A man steps out of an umarked car at the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on 19 February 2026 in Sandringham, Norfolk. | Source: Getty Images

Long before her ex-husband was arrested, the former Duchess of York slipped away to a luxury lakefront sanctuary — while royal observers and the public demanded answers

As the world gasped at the bombshell arrest of her disgraced ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor last Thursday, Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, was nowhere to be seen.

Sarah Ferguson attends the 3rd "Knights Of Charity" Gala at Chateau de la Croix des Gardes on 17 July 2025 in Cannes, France. | Source: Getty Images

While the scandal surrounding the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein once again exploded into public view, many were left asking: Where is Fergie?

Now, a stunning revelation has emerged. The 66-year-old reportedly sought refuge at the world's most expensive wellness clinic, the £13,000-a-day Paracelsus Recovery Clinic in Zurich, Switzerland — a place known for treating the ultra-wealthy and ultra-troubled.

Ferguson is said to have fled the UK just after Christmas, quietly checking herself into the exclusive Swiss retreat as fresh damning details about her links to Epstein surfaced.

Her sudden vanishing act came just days after her last public appearance — a fleeting glimpse at granddaughter Athena's Christening on 12 December at St James's Palace. Since then? Radio silence.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York attends the Funeral of the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral on 16 September 2025 in London, England | Source: Getty Images

A source told the Daily Mail, "Sarah left for Zurich just after Christmas, and stayed until the end of January. She 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."

Love and attention? While the rest of the Royal Family faced mounting scrutiny, Ferguson was allegedly recuperating lakeside under the care of 15 top-tier health experts, a private chauffeur, and even a personal chef.

Sarah Ferguson attends the Andrea Bocelli "Notti Toscane" Event on 28 July 2025 in Forte dei Marmi, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

Paracelsus Recovery is no ordinary health spa. The clinic boasts eye-watering prices: £110,000 for a three-day assessment, or £350,000 for a month-long bespoke programme.

While the former duchess is no stranger to financial woes — and recently confided to friends in the UAE, "I need to get back to work. I need money" — her extended stay at the world's priciest clinic raises eyebrows.

Some insiders believe she may have stayed free of charge. Ferguson appears in a freshly published endorsement on Paracelsus's own website, stating the clinic helped her realise her mental health knows "no boundaries".

She's also repeatedly plugged the facility on Instagram and Facebook, even starring in a video with founder Jan Gerber. One friend offered a blunt explanation, saying, "Sarah has built up a strong relationship with Paracelsus, so it was the obvious place for her to get away from everything."

Sarah Ferguson (C) poses for a photo, posted 16 January 2025, with Jan Gerber (R) and another gentleman. | Source: Instagram/sarahferguson15

Following her stay, Ferguson didn't return to the UK. Instead, she's been living what one source called a "sofa-surfing" existence on a "global scale" — ducking attention, dodging cameras, and staying one step ahead of a scandal-struck nation.

According to insiders, she's been bouncing between cities and luxury homes, piggybacking on the travel schedules of her daughters, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice.

She reportedly jetted off to Doha for Art Basel with Eugenie, then flew to Palm Beach alongside son-in-law Edo Mapelli-Mozzi, before winding up in a French ski resort to "get her head together", and finally reappearing in Gstaad with Eugenie again.

"She is paranoid her location will be discovered so is moving frequently," said one insider. "She notifies friends of her last location only once she has safely moved on to the next."

Sarah Ferguson (C) and her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie during a visit to the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at University College Hospital 23 April 2025 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

The source claimed Ferguson is changing locations every few days, adding that she is going to great lengths to avoid being photographed.

"The girls would hate for their mother to be seen looking startled and fraught like former prince Andrew," the insider said.

As news of her luxurious clinic stay and evasive travels broke, outrage exploded across social media.

"She has no shame," fumed one commenter. "£13,000 a day, nearly £400,000 for a month's stay, Wow!" another marveled. "A daughter sking in Gstaad, another in Florida, the rest of the Royal Family carrying on as normal. This is not a good look. Spending £13,000 a day is obscene under the circumstances [sic]."

Sarah Ferguson attends Day 4 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on 20 June 2025 in Ascot, England. | Source: Getty Images

"Cause when you are broke and homeless, that's the most sensible thing to do," a third wrote sarcastically. "So who's paying for this unbelievable [sic]," demanded a fourth.

Others were disgusted by her perceived lack of accountability in the Epstein fallout. "The sheer audacity of this woman goes beyond measures," one post read.

"This is one of the most disgusting things I've read about Sarah," said another."Who the [expletive] is funding this woman? If it turns out to be the Royal Family it will be a PR disaster for them," someone else added.

Sarah Ferguson is seen in the Royal Box prior to the Gentlemen's Singles first round match between Fabio Fognini of Italy and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain on Day 1 of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on 30 June 2025 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Freshly released documents from the US Justice Department, part of the so-called Epstein files, paint a damning picture. Emails confirm that Ferguson and Mountbatten-Windsor kept up their close friendship with Epstein even after his conviction.

A friend in Switzerland revealed the former duchess was "absolutely crushed" when those email exchanges were made public.

And now? She's already on the hunt for a new PR team, hoping to rebrand and return to the UK — but not everyone believes she'll be welcomed back.

Sarah Ferguson attends the traditional Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George's Chapel on 20 April 2025 in Windsor, England. | Source: Getty Images

According to royal biographer Andrew Lownie, Ferguson may already have financial backing from Dubai, Bahrain, or Qatar — circles in which her past scandals apparently mean very little.

"In Britain, neither Sarah nor Andrew will be socially accepted again, whatever they try to do or wherever they go," Lownie said. "But in the Middle East, no one will care about what they have got up to."

Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor attend the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral on 16 September 2025 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

He believes powerful elites in the Gulf states — including royals, politicians and tycoons — may be willing and eager to support the scandal-rocked couple financially.

He also suggested that even without formally holding the Duchess of York title, Ferguson would still be regarded and treated as royalty — something he believes she is well aware of. Whether she ever fully returns to British public life remains to be seen.