After marrying Prince Andrew, Fergie looked up to Diana, but stumbled into unhealthy habits in the process.

Sarah Ferguson and Princess Diana

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Royal life is never as easy as it seems, and Sarah Ferguson’s experience in the public eye after marrying Prince Andrew was proof. While England ultimately adored her when she first married Prince Andrew in 1986, she got caught up in trying to emulate her close friend, Princess Diana—and stumbled into unhealthy habits that later turned the public against her.

“When we married, I was “the breath of fresh air”. Everyone loved me—it was addictive. I think what I did wrong was I got lost, probably trying to be like Diana,” she told The Sunday Times.

Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew on Wedding day

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Sarah Ferguson and Princess Diana in sunglasses

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The pressure ultimately began to get to Fergie, and food became her main way to cope. “I was an addict to food. The fact I could eat my emotions was the only thing that saved my life,” the Duchess of York explained. “I was huge, more than 14 stone when I had Beatrice in 1988, and I think I had postnatal depression. Everybody said, “You’re the Duchess of Pork,” and I believed my critics.”

The royal, however, managed to have a strong ally in Queen Elizabeth, who supported her at every size. “The Queen [Elizabeth] never lost me,” the Duchess of York added. “The best advice she gave me was the last thing she said to me: “Sarah, remember that yourself is good enough.” It makes me cry.”

Sarah Ferguson and Quen Elizabeth II

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Ferguson wasn’t only close with Princess Diana—she and Elizabeth had a special bond until her death in 2022. “Queen Elizabeth and I got on so well. My mum was her close friend so she knew me all my life and she loved me. The Queen was much more my mother than my mother was. I called her Mumma. She never let me down, even if I let her down,” she said. “Even through the darkest days, she never left me. Though I still got nervous seeing her right up until the end because she was the Queen of England. I had many Covid jabs so I could walk the dogs with her. She had little brown walking shoes. Now I have the corgis—they’re phenomenal.”

Elsewhere in her interview with The Times, Fergie revealed that she would marry Prince Andrew “all over again” and will continue to support him in light of being ousted from the royal family, who has potentially banned him from Christmas at Sandringham. He was also not invited to Kate Middleton’s Christmas party, and is currently being pushed out from Royal Lodge by King Charles.