FERGIE BANNEDED BANNE
from daughter’s wedding!
Just weeks away from her big day, Princess Eugenie’s wedding planning has descended into utter chaos and it’s all thanks to her meddling mum Sarah Ferguson!
The mother of the bride-tobe’s strained relationship with the royal family has caused such a commotion it could result in Fergie being banned from her daughter’s ceremony entirely!
“There has been so much drama that’s threatening to derail Eugenie’s wedding, not least because of Fergie’s friction with the palace,” an insider tells Woman’s Day.
“At this point it’s gotten out of control and there’s a real worry Fergie is going to be shut out altogether. She’d be completely heartbroken if she wasn’t allowed to attend her own daughter’s wedding.”
FAMILY FEUD
But it’s looking increasingly likely that Fergie won’t be there to watch her youngest daughter, 28, exchange vows with 32-yearold Jack Brooksbank, a tequila brand ambassador on October 12 this year. The Duchess of York, 58, is embroiled in a longstanding feud with her former father-in-law Prince Philip and it’s threatening to soon come to a head. In fact, tensions looked to be running high when the 97-yearold avoided Prince Andrew’s ex-wife when they visited Balmoral estate in Scotland recently. “Her Majesty often invites the duchess for a few days at Balmoral early in her annual summer holiday there, but Prince Philip does not like being in the same building as her,” a source told UK newspaper The Mail On Sunday. “He just can’t bring himself to forgive her for some of the outrageous things she’s done.” Fergie first gained notoriety when she was photographed topless having her toes sucked by financial adviser John Bryan – it made headlines around the world in 1992. In 2010, she was filmed offering an undercover journalist access to her ex Andrew for $877,000.
“Philip doesn’t forgive easily. At this point most of the family has welcomed Fergie back into the fold and she’s rebuilt her relationship with Andrew and even gets on pretty well with the Queen these days,” our insider reveals.
“The Queen tolerates her for Andrew’s sake but Charles and Anne are far from her biggest fans and Philip can’t stand her. Although Fergie is Eugenie’s mum, Philip carries a lot more clout than she does. If he put his foot down and refused to be in the same room as Fergie for this wedding, he would get his way and she’d be left out in the cold.”
Although Fergie was in attendance when Harry and Meghan tied the knot because of her close relationship with her nephew, she didn’t land an invite to William and Kate’s nuptials.
ELABORATE CELEBRATION
It’s not only Eugenie’s mother causing drama ahead of her fairytale wedding, which will take place at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
The princess has also raised eyebrows by throwing a highly elaborate celebration, despite the fact she does not carry out royal duties and therefore receives no money from the Privy Purse. And it’s none other than Eugenie’s father Andrew, 58, who’s said to be the driving force behind the excess demands to give his daughter the ultimate royal wedding.
The lavish day thus far will include 1200 members of the public in attendance, an open-top carriage procession and an estimated $3.5 million in taxpayers’ money spent on security.
“Prince Andrew wants his daughters to get the same kind of treatment as William and Harry. He’s fed up with his family being on the fringe and this wedding is Eugenie’s chance to leave her mark,” says our insider.
MAKING HER MARK
“They’re actively trying to make this wedding just as elaborate an affair as Harry and Meghan’s big day, and that will also include a lot of celebrity guests. Princess Eugenie wants everything to be perfect.”
But the reality looms if Philip has his way, the mother of the bride could be barred from seeing her youngest say “I do”.
The ruling will undoubtedly make Eugenie’s happily-everafter a disaster and for now, sources are hoping Philip can turn the other cheek.
“If Fergie is told she can no longer be there, that would totally overshadow Eugenie’s wedding and both she and Fergie would be devastated,” says our insider.
“These days Philip says and does whatever he wants, but everyone is hoping he can bite his tongue and accept Fergie into the family – at least for one day!”
‘There’s a real worry Fergie will be shut out altogether’