Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson is currently trending on social media for comments she made aimed at the British royal family in an interview with the French magazine, Madame Figaro.
The Duchess of York—who was an active member of the royals during her ten-year marriage to Prince Andrew, Duke of York, from 1986 to 1996—said she may be the "most persecuted woman in the history of the royal family" due to the media coverage after her divorce from him nearly 30 years ago.
Sarah Ferguson says she may be the 'most persecuted woman in Royal Family history' https://t.co/D55IpimDdb pic.twitter.com/LG7VO8eJw3
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) December 7, 2021
That would suggest she was more persecuted than Meghan Markle; Princess Diana; Queen Anne Boleyn and the other wives of Windsor—who were beheaded by King Henry VIII; and Mary, Queen of Scots—who was imprisoned and beheaded after being perceived as a threat by Queen Elizabeth I of England.
Ferguson told the publication about how she felt "excluded" from the family and suffered "years of media hell."
In spite of her oppression, she declared, "but I'm still here. I always believed anything was possible. The bruised reed that doesn’t break is in my DNA.”
In response to Fergie's comments about being the "most persecuted woman in royal family history," Twitter disagreed.
Strongly.
Hello Fergie? Anne Boleyn called. She wants a word. pic.twitter.com/StB2wT2Ecg
— Good King Benceslas 🎄🤴🏼 (@bilbo983) December 6, 2021
Anne Boleyn disagrees 😂 🪓 pic.twitter.com/vH6IUf0psB
— Florine (@CajunRoyalFan) December 6, 2021
Can Fergie read the room? Diana died being persecuted, meanwhile she's still living with Andrew, off taxpayers money, without anyone telling her a peep!
— Julieth ❀ (@troubleshade) December 6, 2021
Fergie: “I’m the most persecuted woman in Royal History”
Mary Queen of Scots: “Hold my beer … and my head” pic.twitter.com/Hvr8juyfnd
— Gerry H (@GeroldHightowe4) December 7, 2021
Fergie should know if you're ever a member of the royal family and mess up they don't forget. Look how they treated Diana and all she was doing was standing up to her cheating rotten husband.
— 🎄💜Peggy B💜🎄 (@PegLulu2) December 7, 2021
Fergie talking about she's the "most persecuted woman in royal history" yet she still has her head. Curious.
— ted yulezynski (@shrugdeaIer) December 7, 2021
Quite a claim, taking the centuries, beheadings and all into account..
Sarah Ferguson claims to be the royal family's most 'persecuted' woman https://t.co/97jx232Fmn via @Femail
— anne mcelvoy (@annemcelvoy) December 6, 2021
Not Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard, Mary Queen of Scots or Lady Jane Grey then?
This freeloader and her nonce ex deserve each other.
Sarah Ferguson says she may have been the ‘most persecuted woman in royal history’ https://t.co/geXpQCG1yQ
— Barbara 🦕🦖🟩⬜🟪🍒🏴🇪🇺🌍🦖 (@bombusmonticola) December 8, 2021
Fergie also said she stands by her ex-husband, even as he faced sexual assault allegations leveled against him by Victoria Giuffre, who claimed she was sex-trafficked by deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein to Prince Andrew.
Now 38, Giuffre claimed the Duke of York raped her when she was 17 at the London home of Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Epstein's.
Prince Andrew and Buckingham Palace have repeatedly denied the allegations.
In a 2019 interview, he said of Giuffre's allegations:
"It didn't happen. I can absolutely categorically tell you it never happened. I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever."
Scotland Yard dropped their investigation looking into Giuffre's claim in October.
Despite the controversy, Ferguson continues to hold a soft spot for her ex.
“I loved him and I still love him today,” she said. “I will stay by his side because I believe in him, he is a good man.”
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Insider Ferguson was seen as a "disaster" while she was an active member of the royal family.
Fitzwillams added:
"The interviews she gives, such as this one, when she claims she was persecuted, perhaps uniquely so, shows she has learnt very little."
@coyleray/Instagram