Prince Andrew and Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson may have divorced more than 20 years ago, but the former couple have forged a very close friendship in the years since – and they surprised racegoers as they put it on display on day 4 of Royal Ascot.
The Duchess of York, 59, joined her ex husband at the racing event and the pair were seen chatting and laughing together while watching the races.
While they didn’t join Andrew’s mother the Queen in the official royal carriage procession, they could be seen bowing and curtsying to Her Majesty together as she rode past.
Fergie ensured she turned heads on the outing as she opted for a bright canary yellow knee-length dress which she coupled with some equally-vibrant purple strappy heels.
Adding yet more colour to the bold ensemble, the duchess wore a bright green feathered fascinator-style hat clipped to one side of her curled red hair and carried a matching green clutch bag.
Meanwhile, Andrew, 59, who dressed to impress in a smart tuxedo and top hat, could be seen chatting to his ex while pointing off into the distance, before the pair were joined by a series of guests and friends.
It comes after British media began reporting in April that the former couple could be “back together” – with multiple media outlets claiming well-placed sources within the palace had confirmed that the pair have put the past behind them.
The duchess’ relationship with the royal family has been rocky over the years. Andrew and Fergie announced their separation in 1992 and just months later photos emerged of the mother-of-two sun baking topless and getting her toes sucked by American financial adviser John Bryan on holiday in France.
In 2010, the duchess was caught in a sting by the now-defunct British tabloid News of the World that showed her trying to sell access to her ex-husband for £500,000.
Despite the controversies, the pair, who finalised their divorce in 1996, have remained close with Fergie living at the York family residence, the Royal Lodge, in Windsor. Despite dating other people over the years, Andrew and Fergie have remained under one roof and were said to have lived at opposite ends of the house so they could carry out their relationships without disrupting each other.
Although she’s no longer an official member of the royal family, the duchess has tried to remain close with her former in-laws and her attendance at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding in 2018 was seen as a serious nod of approval from the Queen and an indication that she could soon be welcomed back into the royal fold.
In 2016 she made headlines after she told Australian radio host Kyle Sandilands that she had Andrew were “sort of” together.
When asked if she would ever remarry the prince, she replied vaguely: “I always think ‘have we really?’.”
“We’re divorced to each other right now. We’ve never really left each other.
“I think the happily ever after … I’m actually writing a book about that too.”
Despite the rumours of a reconciliation, it appears the duchess and Andrew aren’t going to be making an announcement about their relationship status anytime soon.
A spokesperson for Fergie denied the claims in April and told The Telegraph: “The Duke and Duchess remain good friends as they have been for many years, and nothing has changed.”