Royal fans were left surprised on Monday when Sarah Ferguson stepped out in the royal box at Wimbledon for the first time in over 20 years. Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, 65, was all smiles on the first day of the tennis competition yesterday as she stepped out with her daughter Princess Beatrice, 36.
While Fergie seemed delighted to be back in the royal box, where she used to sit with Princess Diana in the 1980s and 1990s, some royal fans were left confused by her presence at the competition, especially in the royal box.
This is because while the Duchess of York still attends some royal events, for example this year’s Easter Service in Windsor with King Charles and Queen Camilla, she is no longer a working royal and hasn’t been for some time.
Taking to X yesterday, some royal fans were unhappy to see Fergie in the royal box, believing she should not have been seated there.
One fan wrote on X: “Why does Fergie get Royal Box seats at Wimbledon?”
Another said: “Why is she in the royal box??”
A third commented: “Sarah Ferguson and daughter brazenly attending Wimbledon with not a care in the world. And in the Royal Box paid for by us!”
The duchess appeared delighted to be back in the royal box, with her last royal box appearance believed to have been with Princess Diana, who died in 1997.
Sarah has attended the competition since but in a private capacity.
For the opening day of Wimbledon on Monday, Sarah wore a green floral maxi dress by ME + EM (£350).