My Story (1997)
A royal memoir by Sarah, the Duchess of York
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, former wife of Queen Elizabeth II’s second son Prince Andrew, began her autobiography with an account of one of the most embarrassing moments ever to appear in a royal memoir. In the introduction, entitled “Rock Bottom,” Sarah describes how she was at Balmoral Castle in Scotland with Andrew, her young daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and her husband’s entire family (including the Queen) when the Daily Mirror published paparazzi photographs of her sunbathing topless with her American financial adviser in 1992.
Sarah described Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Edward reading newspapers that morning, writing that “Eyes wide and mouths ajar, the adults were flipping through the Daily Mirror and the rest of the tabloids. Until they saw Andrew and stopped, as it never feels quite right to be gazing at your brother’s wife when she hasn’t got all her clothes on.”
She spent the day apologising personally to every member of the royal family, writing, “By early afternoon, I needed another brandy but I saw the gauntlet through.” At dinner, “I knew they must be seeing me topless, or being nuzzled by a bald American. The courtiers eyed me sneakily, discreetly. The butlers and footmen gaped, and I felt naked in their sight.” Sarah clarified in her memoir that despite the tabloid headlines claiming her financial adviser sucked her toes in the photographs, “no sucking of toes had taken place in the south of France.”
Andrew and Sarah divorced in 1996 but remained friends. Sarah wrote in her memoir, “As a single mother with few assets and less income than most presumed, I was in deep financial trouble.” The book was part of a series of activities to improve her financial situation, including becoming a spokeswoman for Weight Watchers. Sarah also demonstrated a desire to be understood by the public, describing her conflicts with royal courtiers, who she called “the Grey Men” of “the Firm.” Sarah wrote, “Swollen with self importance, the courtiers tried to bring me to heel. But their memos and censures backfired.” She also criticised the press, writing “When you are a public figure and the press declares open season, there is no way to fight back.”
The book received mixed reviews at the time, especially in the British press, but has received renewed attention with the news that Prince Harry is writing his own memoirs.
Next, take a look back at Queen Elizabeth II’s incredible life in 30 quotes.
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Source: RD Canada
