Sarah Ferguson’s Latest Book Withdrawn Amid Controversy

Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, has reportedly suffered another significant setback in her career as her latest book, Flora and Fern: Kindness Along The Way, has been withdrawn from sale. The move comes amid renewed public scrutiny over her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, casting a shadow over her publishing plans (BBC; The Guardian).

Initially scheduled for publication on October 9, the book had briefly appeared for pre-order on Amazon with a revised release date of November 20. However, it has since been removed entirely from the retailer’s listings. According to NielsenIQ BookData, the title has officially been marked “withdrawn from sale” at the publisher’s request, suggesting a deliberate decision to halt distribution (NielsenIQ BookData).

Publishing Industry Reactions

“You have to imagine it’s to do with the current controversies,” Neill Denny, editor at trade outlet Book Brunch, told the BBC. “It’s not the right time to release a book by Sarah Ferguson” (BBC). Waterstones had previously confirmed that the book’s release was postponed, but no further updates on a revised publication date have been provided, indicating the title may now be shelved indefinitely. Publishing insiders note that the timing aligns with commercial caution and reputational concerns following renewed media focus on Andrew’s Epstein scandal (The Independent; Daily Mail).

“[It] makes total sense commercially,” Denny added. “It’s not the sort of book that’s going to age. You’re not risking a lot of money by holding it back.” Ferguson’s new title is part of her ongoing children’s series, which includes widely known works such as Budgie the Little Helicopter and Little Red. Over her career, she has written more than 70 books spanning children’s fiction, historical romance, and other genres (Hello! Magazine).

Connection to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Controversy

The withdrawal of Flora and Fern comes at a time of heightened scrutiny on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Andrew has been stripped of all his royal titles and honours following his association with Epstein and the sexual assault allegations brought by Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre claimed she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sexual encounters with Andrew when she was 17. Andrew has consistently denied all allegations and reached a financial settlement in 2022 without admitting any wrongdoing. King Charles subsequently removed his Duke of York title and all remaining royal honours, and Andrew is now required to vacate Royal Lodge in Windsor (BBC; The Guardian).

Sarah Ferguson, who lost her courtesy title as Duchess when Andrew’s dukedom ended, now faces additional uncertainty regarding her living arrangements. The Daily Mail has reported that she may consider relocating to Portugal with her daughter, Princess Eugenie, though these plans remain unconfirmed (Daily Mail).

Renewed Backlash Over Epstein Ties

Recent revelations have added further pressure on the former duchess. The Sun highlighted a 2011 email in which Sarah referred to Epstein as her “supreme friend,” despite publicly claiming to cut ties with him around the same period. The disclosure reignited public criticism and led to several charities removing her as a patron or ambassador (The Sun).

Royal biographer Robert Jobson told HELLO! on A Right Royal Podcast that Ferguson is “not doing great” amid the mounting controversies. Historian Andrew Lownie speculated in the same episode that she may choose to relocate overseas to avoid the spotlight. “A stronger possibility is that she goes [to Switzerland] and he goes somewhere else, possibly without extradition treaties to the UK,” he suggested (HELLO! Magazine).

Uncertain Future for Sarah Ferguson

The indefinite shelving of Flora and Fern underscores the ongoing impact of Andrew’s controversies on Sarah Ferguson’s professional and personal life. While she remains a prolific author with a long-standing reputation in children’s literature, the current climate presents substantial challenges for her public image and career trajectory. Observers continue to monitor developments regarding both her publishing plans and her potential relocation abroad, highlighting the complex interplay between royal scrutiny and personal endeavors (The Guardian; BBC News).