Fergie mingles freely at ex’s memorial, signaling she’s done hiding

Sarah Ferguson was ‘schmoozing with everyone’ at the memorial service for her ex-boyfriend Paddy McNally in London on Thursday, October 29.

A source close to the 66-year-old former Duchess of York told Examiner that she initially went back and forth on whether to attend.

“Of course she was nervous, but she decided to face her fears and get back out there and she’s so relieved that she did,” the source said.

Her daughters Princess Beatrice, 38, and Princess Eugenie, 36, were by her side the whole time for moral support.

But it didn’t take long for her to get comfortable.

“She was schmoozing with everyone like old times,” the source added.

The appearance marks Ferguson’s first major public outing in the UK in over a year.

She had effectively disappeared from public life after her close ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came under intense scrutiny.

Ferguson has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

She previously stated through a representative that she was “taken in” by Epstein’s “lies.”

The memorial was held for McNally, a longtime friend and former boyfriend of Ferguson’s from before her marriage to Prince Andrew.

King Charles III, 77, and Prince William, 44, were reportedly caught off guard by the reception she received.

“They are quite shocked by the warm welcome she got,” the source admitted.

“That was not something they anticipated.”

The royal family has been trying to distance itself from the Epstein scandal.

“They want distance from the scandal and that’s just not going to happen if Sarah starts popping up at every society event,” the source noted.

But Charles and William may not have much of a choice.

“She’s done hiding,” the source declared.

“She’s ready to get back to the life she’s always known.”

Ferguson returned to the UK quietly in August after spending six months abroad.

She had left in February following the eviction of her and Andrew from Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion on the Windsor estate where they lived together despite divorcing in 1996.

According to The Sun, she is currently renting a six-bedroom, three-bathroom property in the Home Counties for about $13,500 a month.

Her spokesperson told People that she is “resettling here, lying low while she looks at the next stage.”

“She’s happy spending time with her family and focusing on her relocation,” the spokesperson added.

“She is embracing her family life and seeing her grandchildren.”

Beatrice shares daughters Sienna, 5, and Athena, 21 months, with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and helps co-parent his 10-year-old son Wolfie with ex Dara Huang.

Eugenie has three children with husband Jack Brooksbank: sons August, 5, and Ernest, 3, and daughter Adelaide, 3 months.

Ferguson also maintains an “ongoing cordial and supportive relationship” with her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

Her spokesperson confirmed to HELLO! exclusively that “Sarah and Andrew speak regularly and have always had and continue to have unity as co-parents and co-grandparents.”

The spokesperson declined to answer whether they have met face-to-face since her return.

Andrew was stripped of all royal titles and privileges by King Charles in October 2025, rendering him a commoner.

He was evicted from Royal Lodge in February 2026 and moved to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham estate.