Prince Andrew & Sarah Ferguson

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, announced his engagement to Sarah Ferguson in early 1986. Although the pair had known each other since childhood, and occasionally met at polo matches, it is understood that romance blossomed only after Princess Diana orchestrated to bring them together at a house party to celebrate Royal Ascot at Windsor Castle.

Prince Andrew proposed to Sarah at Floors Castle in Scotland, where the couple shared their first kiss, and he presented Sarah with a Burmese Ruby engagement ring.

Following a short engagement, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson married at 11.30am on July 23rd, 1986 in Westminster Abbey, in front of 2000 guests, and an estimated television audience of 500 million. Following the ceremony, the couple appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for a playful first kiss as husband and wife before enjoying a wedding breakfast. Later, 300 guests arrived for another wedding party at Claridges Hotel in London.

The couple honeymooned in the Azores.

Initially Sarah was seen as a breath of fresh air to the stuffy protocol that surrounded the Royal Family. Increasingly, however, she was criticised by the press over her weight, clothing and personality, and Prince Andrew’s long absences with the Navy left her miserable and lonely.

By 1992, the couple were experiencing trouble in their marriage and separated. Sarah was subject to public ridicule following the publication of photos of her with another man, and was increasingly distanced from the British Royal Family. Four years later, in 1996, the couple divorced, but they remained friends, and indeed, Sarah contined to live in Prince Andrew’s residence until 2004.

The Duke and Duchess of York had two children during their marriage: Princess Beatrice of York (born 1988) and Princess Eugenie of York (born 1990). In more recent times, there have been signs of a reconciliation between the Duchess of York and members of the Royal Family.

Video: The Bridal Procession of Sarah Ferguson on the day of her marriage to HRH Prince Andrew at Westminster Abbey.

Related Links

• Fergie’s Dinner Date With Her Royal Ex
• Prince Andrew weds Sarah Ferguson – BBC On This Day archives