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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Abigail O'Leary

Fergie 'invited to first Sandringham Christmas in 30 years' after toe-sucking scandal

Fergie is reportedly set to receive her first royal Christmas invite to Sandringham in 30 years' after her legendary ‘ toe-sucking’ scandal.

Sarah Ferguson will reportedly be accompanying her disgraced ex-husband Prince Andrew having not spent a Christmas Eve and day with the royals at the Norfolk estate since splitting with Andrew in 1992.

According to a Sandringham source, a five bedroom farm house is being prepared for Fergie, 63, and Andrew, 62, who will also reportedly be joined by their daughters Beatrice, 34 and Eugenie, 32 - with their own husbands and young children.

It is not yet known if Fergie and Andrew would appear together in public on the family's traditional morning walk to St Mary Magdalene Church.

It is understood Fergie was banned from attending family gathering after she was caught on camera having her toe sucked by financial adviser John Bryan.

The scandal that surrounded the photos, which were printed in the Daily Mirror in 1992, rocked The Firm and marked the beginning of a very difficult relationship between Fergie and her in-laws.

The Duke and Duchess of York with their children Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie (@sarahferguson15/Instagram)
According to a Sandringham source, a five bedroom farm house is being prepared for Fergie (Dave Benett/Getty Images for The Female Social Network (TFSN))

The Duke and Duchess of York tied the knot in 1986 - but just six years later their marriage ended in scandal.

They told the world they planned to separate in March 1992, and five months later compromising photographs of Sarah appeared on the front pages.

The intimate pictures, shot as the couple lazed by the pool, showed her 'financial advisor' Texan millionaire John Bryan kissing and sucking the Duchess' toes and the arch of her foot.

They also showed the couple kissing and embracing, and frolicking in the pool.

On the morning the photographs were published, Sarah Ferguson was staying at Balmoral with the rest of the royal family.

It is not yet known if Fergie and Andrew would appear together in public on the family's traditional walk to St Mary Magdalene Church (Getty Images)

Royal writer Richard Kay claimed in the Daily Mail that he received a message via pager from Princess Diana the night before the photos hit the newspaper stands.

Diana's message was simple: "The redhead's in trouble."

On Fergie's possible attendance this year, a Sandringham source told The Sun : “Andrew is banned from public life but you can't ban him from family Christmas.

“Staff at Sandringham have been tasked with getting Wood Farm ready for the whole York family.

“For 30 years she used to have Christmas dinner on her own. But things are being done differently now.”

Queen Elizabeth with Prince Andrew and Sarah Duchess of York at the Royal Windsor Horse Show (Tim Graham/Getty Images)
Sarah Ferguson at this year's Venice International Film Festival (Getty Images)

After four years of separation, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew officially announced their decision to divorce in May 1996.

She has retained her title 'Duchess of York' but ceased being a Royal Highness.

Should Sarah marry again, she will also lose her Duchess title.

Years after their split, Fergie claimed the marriage was troubled due to her husband's prolonged periods away from home.

She explained: "What I got was not the man, I got the palace and didn't get him."

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