Before “Fergie” and “Di,” before the Duchess of York and the Princess of Wales, there wasSarah FergusonandDiana Spencer.“We were best friendsfrom when she was 14 and I was 15,” the Duchess, who affectionately called Diana “Duch,” tells PEOPLE exclusively inthis week’s cover story.It was Diana who introduced her friend Sarah toPrince Andrew, the younger brother of Diana’s husband,Prince Charles.“I said to her, ‘Oh, Andrew’s really good-looking,'” recalls the Duchess, 61, whose debut novel, the sweeping coming-of-age storyHer Heart for a Compass, will be published on August 3. “And she said, ‘Duh, Fergs!'” (The pair wed in 1986 and divorced a decade later but remain close co-parents of daughtersPrincess Eugenie, 31, andPrincess Beatrice, 32.)Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York on the cover of PEOPLE.David BurtonBut when both women became global superstars following their royal weddings, the media often pitted them against each other.“In the ’80s, it was Diana looking beautiful, and there was fat, frumpy Fergie,” says the Duchess, who was labeled the “Duchess of Pork” in the tabloid press. “We were just there for people to make a lot of money. At the time we both didn’t realize that.“Princes Diana and Sarah, the Duchess of York in 1991 with Prince William (left) and Prince Harry (center).Mike Forster/Daily Mail/ShutterstockThe two women, who dominated the front page as the “wives of Windsor,” would compare notes — and offer each other support.Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!“Diana and I both had our own mental health issues, and she and I used to talk,” recalls the Duchess. “She said, ‘Fergie, remember one thing: When you’re at the top of the pedestal, it’s so easy to fall off. And you’re at the bottom. You just climb up.'“Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, photographed for PEOPLE.David BurtonFor the full exclusive interview with Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, pick up this week’s issueof PEOPLE, on newsstands nowThe Duchess continues, “We were positioned as saint and sinner. And the most important thing was to remain robust together, and we did, no matter what anyone wrote.“Listen below toour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more on PEOPLE’s cover story interview with Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson.
Before “Fergie” and “Di,” before the Duchess of York and the Princess of Wales, there wasSarah FergusonandDiana Spencer.
“We were best friendsfrom when she was 14 and I was 15,” the Duchess, who affectionately called Diana “Duch,” tells PEOPLE exclusively inthis week’s cover story.
It was Diana who introduced her friend Sarah toPrince Andrew, the younger brother of Diana’s husband,Prince Charles.
“I said to her, ‘Oh, Andrew’s really good-looking,'” recalls the Duchess, 61, whose debut novel, the sweeping coming-of-age storyHer Heart for a Compass, will be published on August 3. “And she said, ‘Duh, Fergs!'” (The pair wed in 1986 and divorced a decade later but remain close co-parents of daughtersPrincess Eugenie, 31, andPrincess Beatrice, 32.)
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York on the cover of PEOPLE.David Burton
But when both women became global superstars following their royal weddings, the media often pitted them against each other.
“In the ’80s, it was Diana looking beautiful, and there was fat, frumpy Fergie,” says the Duchess, who was labeled the “Duchess of Pork” in the tabloid press. “We were just there for people to make a lot of money. At the time we both didn’t realize that.”
Princes Diana and Sarah, the Duchess of York in 1991 with Prince William (left) and Prince Harry (center).Mike Forster/Daily Mail/Shutterstock
The two women, who dominated the front page as the “wives of Windsor,” would compare notes — and offer each other support.
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!
“Diana and I both had our own mental health issues, and she and I used to talk,” recalls the Duchess. “She said, ‘Fergie, remember one thing: When you’re at the top of the pedestal, it’s so easy to fall off. And you’re at the bottom. You just climb up.'”
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, photographed for PEOPLE.David Burton
For the full exclusive interview with Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, pick up this week’s issueof PEOPLE, on newsstands now
The Duchess continues, “We were positioned as saint and sinner. And the most important thing was to remain robust together, and we did, no matter what anyone wrote.”
Listen below toour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more on PEOPLE’s cover story interview with Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson.
source: people.com
