As Andrew Mountbatten Windsor becomes the first senior royal in modern history to be arrested, the Mirror takes a look at the possible whereabouts of his ex wife, Sarah Ferguson
12:26, 19 Feb 2026Updated 16:35, 19 Feb 2026
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
As Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is held in police custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson is nowhere to be seen.
The former Duchess of York moved out of Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate alongside her ex-husband last month, with the pair having faced intense scrutiny over their friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew, who has today been arrested at Sandringham, has vehemently and consistently denied any wrongdoing.
This marks the first time in modern history that a senior member of the British Royal family has been arrested. Pictures show unmarked police cars attending Wood Farm on the sprawling Norfolk estate, where Andrew has been staying temporarily, with plain-clothed officers appearing to gather outside the property on the former prince’s 66th birthday.
Thames Valley Police officers are now conducting searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. Meanwhile, Sarah has not been seen publicly for months, raising questions about her whereabouts. Here’s everything we know about where she could be…
READ MORE: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested LIVE as police swarm Sandringham on birthdayREAD MORE: Andrew’s custody conditions and exactly how long police can hold him for
Fergie has come under fierece scrutiny over her frienship with Jefrrey Epstein(Image: DoJ)
‘Comeback plot’
A source claims that before Andrew was ejected from Royal Lodge, Fergie snuck in and out by car while “lying prone on the back seat”. It has been speculated that the mother of two fled overseas, with Virgin Group even forced to deny reports that the ex-duchess had taken refuge at Richard Branson’s Necker Island in the Caribbean, issuing the following firm statement on the matter: “Sir Richard has had no contact with Sarah Ferguson following the release of the Epstein files and, contrary to some media reports, can confirm she is not on Necker Island either.”
Another report suggest that Sarah recently paid a visit to the Alps before carrying on to the United Arab Emirates. It is here where Fergie is allegedly plotting her comeback, which doesn’t look likely to include Andrew. A source told the Daily Mail that Fergie has been telling pals, “I need to get back to work. I need money.” The former royal, who had previously remained close to Andrew even after their very public divorce, reportedly also declared, “When I come back, I am going to have to put some distance between myself and Andrew.”
Distance from ‘misery guts’
Indeed, it seems unlikely Ferguson will be in any hurry to join Andrew at boggy Marsh Farm in Sandringham, with royal author Andrew Lownie previously telling the Mirror, “I think she wouldn’t want to go to Sandringham and be linked to old misery guts.” Instead, Lownie, who penned the explosive biography entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, believes it’s certainly possible that Ferguson may have fled the country altogether, a tactic she has previously made a “habit” of during bumpy moments in her life.
Andrew has today been arrested at the Sandringham estate(Image: Tony Kershaw / SWNS)
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The writer also believes it is likely that Fergie, who reportedly once attempted to bag a £40,000 kitchen for free, is now “sponging off a rich pal” as she navigates her latest crisis. It doesn’t look as though she’ll be able to turn to daughters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice for support, however, with reports suggesting that neither of the York sisters is playing host to their mother.
Daughters’ ‘odd’ choice
Initially, it seemed as though Eugenie’s Portugal mansion and Beatrice’s cow-shed granny annexe in the Cotswolds were both on the cards for Fergie; however, these options are now said to be off the table. Lownie tells the Mirror that it might be a little more complicated than it appears on the surface, dubbing it “odd” if it is indeed the case that her daughters did not let her stay. He explains that while Eugenie has “cut loose” her father, behind closed doors, the daughters may still be in touch with their mum.
It’s understood neither Princess Eugenie nor Princess Beatrice are keen to play host to their mother(Image: Getty Images)
“I talked to a member of staff the other day, and Eugenie has cut loose,” Lownie claims. “The girls clearly want to keep in with the Royal Family, partly that’s where their future lies, and their commercial prospects lie. Remaining princesses, being able to do business in the Middle East, and that was the deal that I think has been struck by Andrew to leave Royal Lodge.
“But that doesn’t preclude them quietly, secretly showing loyalty to their parents by seeing them privately. So it’s not having to make a choice, they’ve managed to do both. I do think Eugenie has taken it publicly, the line certainly publicly, because of her Anti-Slavery Collective charity, that she has cut loose.” Beatrice was spotted taking her daughter, Sienna, for a horse ride with Andrew recently, indicating she has not taken such a firm line as her sister.
This comes after police vehicles were pictured at the Sandringham estate this morning, mere days after Buckingham Palace asserted it would “stand ready to support” the police if approached over the claims made against him. Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright today said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office. It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
The Mirror has reached out to Sarah Ferguson’s representative for comment.
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