Stop bullying our ‘extraordinary’ family, Fergie tells media
As Beatrice and Eugenie become Teenage Cancer Trust patrons, Sarah Ferguson says they demonstrate good parenting. B M
The Duchess of York has called on the media to ‘‘stop bullying the York family’’, holding up her two daughters as examples of the ut there was no sign of any such truce inside Aleppo. ‘‘There are aerial raids on the city’s neighbourhoods with highly explosive products of ‘‘good parenting’’.
Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, spoke as their daughters, Princesses Beatrice, 28, and Eugenie, 26, became patrons of the Teenage Cancer Trust and visited a specialist teen cancer unit in London yesterday to meet young people with the disease.
Praising their hard work, Ferguson, 57, said: ‘‘Both the duke and myself, we could not be more proud of this moment, because these two girls that work so hard in their own careers have taken time off today to spread the word of teen cancer, which is so important, and then go back to work.
‘‘It’s really an extraordinary example that, I think, good parenting and listening to your children and getting them to take responsibility for their own actions.’’
She said she was proud of her family’s charity work, adding: ‘‘Let’s focus more on this and less on tittle-tattle gossip. Stop bullying the York family, please.’’
Beatrice, who is said to be focusing on her ‘‘entrepreneurial ambitions’’, having had several jobs over the past five years, has been criticised in the media for the number of holidays she takes – 15 in 2015, according to one report.
She recently made headlines when she cut singer Ed Sheeran’s oscow and Washington have discussed a ceasefire to let civilians escape eastern Aleppo and aid enter. Russia also wants the United States to urge rebel fighters to abandon their territory and accept transport out.
UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura told the UN Security Council there were signs that the rebels may want to leave and the council should help them go, diplomats said.
The Syrian government said yesterday it was ready to resume dialogue with the opposition, without external intervention or preconditions. The rebels said no such contacts were taking place.
‘‘There are no negotiations now, except what’s being discussed internationally,’’ said Zakaria Malahifji, head of the political office of the Aleppo-based Fastaqim rebel group, speaking from Turkey. ‘‘We have asked for the evacuation of civilians who want to leave, and of the injured. The fighters are determined to stay and face things.’’ face with a sword while pretending to ‘‘knight’’ James Blunt at a party at her father’s Royal Lodge residence near Windsor.
Eugenie works as an associate director at a modern art gallery.
There have been reports recently of discord in the royal household over the roles the two princesses should play within the royal family.
Andrew is said to want his daughters, who are seventh and eighth in line to the throne, to carry out royal duties fulltime, giving them roles similar to their cousins William and Harry, according to one report. His brother Charles, however, is said to favour a slimmed-down monarchy, centred on him, his children and grandchildren.
The duchess, who is seeking £25 million in damages from New Group Newspapers over a cashfor-access sting by jailed undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood, alleging she offered to introduce him to Andrew for £500,000, has been a supporter of the Teenage Cancer Trust for many years.
‘‘She has been with us from day one and we’re so grateful for her introducing Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie to the charity,’’ said the trust’s chief executive, Siobhan Dunn.