When Queen Elizabeth II passed away, the world mourned a steadfast leader deeply committed to her people and her role as Monarch.

For those closer to her, the loss was deeply personal as they lost a cherished relative, confidante and a guide. Now, Sarah Ferguson has shared details of her final conversations with her beloved ex-mother-in-law.

Speaking to The Times with her sister Jane, the Duchess of York reflected on their upbringing and early ties to the Royal Family. Their father, Major Ronald Ferguson, was the Royal Family’s polo manager, connecting the sisters to the royals long before Sarah’s marriage to Prince Andrew in 1986.

In the interview, Ferguson explained that her bond with the Queen went far beyond her marriage, shaped by a shared history and lasting respect.

“She knew me all my life and she loved me,” Ferguson said of the late Queen whom she called “mumma.”

Ferguson got to see the Queen at Balmoral castle in Scotland before she died, aged 96 in 2022 and she still cries when she remembers what her former mother-in-law said to her before she passed.

“Sarah, remember that yourself is good enough.”

The 65-year-old former royal has often spoken of her special relationship with the late Queen, most recently on Jessica Rowe’s podcast, The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show.

“The thing about the Queen was that she was more my mother than my own mother,” Ferguson said at the time.

“The Queen was an iconic, legendary, stalwart, steadfast, invisible hand of love behind your back.”

Although Ferguson enjoyed a warm relationship with the Queen, she never fully relaxed around her late mother-in-law.

“You certainly were in awe, and therefore you kept your wits about you,” she said.

“She’s one of the greatest leaders of our time.

“I mean, she was the grandmother of the nation. She was the steadfastness of an extraordinary pillar of strength for the Commonwealth, for the nation, for Australia, for the world,” she said before adding she was “greatly missed.”

Fortunately, Ferguson can count on the late Queen’s furry companions, corgis, Sandy and Muick, to help cope with her loss.

Ferguson has been caring for the royal dogs after it was announced that she and her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, would be taking ownership of them following the Queen’s passing.

To mark International Dog Day recently, Ferguson took to social media to highlight the “unconditional love” and “loyalty” that these two pups bring.

She also shared that she planned to celebrate the occasion by treating the royal dogs to an “extra treat”.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Ferguson had said it was a “big honour” to be Muick and Sandy’s new caretaker, adding that the four-legged royal family members were “national treasures” and had “been taught well”.