Fergie back in fold with invitation to stay at Balmoral

CAN there be any more dramatic case of royal redemption than that of Sarah, Duchess of York? Exiled after her divorce from Prince Andrew, Fergie has been welcomed back into the fold to such an extent that she has been invited to stay at the Queen’s Scottish retreat this summer, I can disclose.

And, unlike previous visits, when she had to make a quick getaway before Prince Philip arrived, the Duchess can stay at Balmoral for as long as her ex-husband.

‘Sarah Ferguson is coming,’ confirms my man in the kilt. ‘She will be here with Andrew.’

The Duchess, 61, has been invited to the Deeside castle in previous years, but has stayed for just a few days until the Duke of Edinburgh joined the Queen.

Until his death in April, Philip had studiously avoided Fergie since a tabloid newspaper disclosed details of her affair with American ‘financial adviser’ John Bryan in 1992.

She was staying at Balmoral on the day that paparazzi photos were published of Bryan ‘sucking’ a topless Sarah Ferguson’s toes (while she was still married to, but separated from, Andrew).

However, the Queen is said to appreciate the loyalty that Sarah has demonstrated to the Royal Family since her divorce in 1996 and has been impressed by the close relationship she has maintained with Andrew, 61. The pair even share a home, Royal Lodge in Windsor.

It’s not clear whether Fergie and Andrew will be joined by their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Bea, 32, is expecting her first child later this year with her property developer husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 37.

Eugenie has a six-month-old son, August, with her husband, Jack Brooksbank. Earlier this week, photographs were published of Brooksbank aboard a yacht with topless models on the Mediterranean island of Capri.

Fergie loyally insisted that her ‘superhero’ son-in-law was simply ‘doing his job’ as a brand ambassador for a tequila company.

A spokesman for the Duchess of York declines to comment.