Sarah Ferguson has stepped back into the public eye after more than a year away from the spotlight. Prince Andrew's ex-wife attended a memorial service for her former partner, Paddy McNally, at St. Paul's Church in London's Knightsbridge neighborhood on October 29.
The 67-year-old was joined by her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, as well as their husbands.
The occasion marked Ferguson's first reported public appearance since September 16, 2025, when she attended the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, at Westminster Cathedral in London.
Paddy McNally Played an Important Role in Sarah Ferguson's Early Life
Long before her marriage to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in 1986, Sarah Ferguson shared a three-year relationship with Formula 1 entrepreneur Paddy McNally.
The pair met in the early 1980s, when Ferguson worked as a nanny for McNally's two sons following the death of his wife, Anne. Their connection eventually developed into a romance that lasted from 1982 to 1985.
McNally died in July 2026 at the age of 88. Ferguson reportedly did not attend his funeral in Sevenhampton the following month, although her daughter Princess Beatrice was among those who paid their respects.
Sarah Ferguson Reunites With Beatrice and Eugenie in London
For the memorial service, Ferguson chose an elegant navy-blue ensemble featuring a lace blazer and matching dress. She accessorized with a poppy pinned to her lapel and bracelets bearing her children's names, adding a personal touch to her understated appearance.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie also wore dark-colored outfits, while their husbands joined them for the occasion. Peter Phillips was reportedly among the other guests in attendance.
Epstein Revelations Preceded Ferguson's Withdrawal From Public Life
Ferguson's return comes after months of relative silence following renewed scrutiny of her past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Previously reported correspondence between Ferguson and Epstein resurfaced, prompting fresh questions about their relationship. As the controversy attracted attention, Ferguson largely withdrew from public appearances and maintained a noticeably lower profile.
A New Chapter After Leaving Royal Lodge
Ferguson's personal circumstances have also reportedly changed significantly over the past year. After her long-standing living arrangement with Andrew at Royal Lodge came to an end, Andrew reportedly relocated to Marsh Farm without her.
Meanwhile, reports suggested that Ferguson spent time in the Austrian Alps and may also have stayed at a clinic in Switzerland. Her appearance in Knightsbridge, not far from Buckingham Palace, therefore marked a notable return to public life.
While King Charles was reportedly away on a Commonwealth tour of the Caribbean, Ferguson quietly reappeared alongside her daughters at an event with deeply personal significance.
Although the memorial service was a private occasion rather than an official royal engagement, it offered a rare glimpse of Ferguson after an extended absence from the spotlight.
