The Duchess of York shared an unseen photo of her ex-husband Prince Andrew to wish him a happy birthday today – and it sparked a swathe of comments urging the former couple to get back together, despite his involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Sarah Ferguson took to Instagram to post an intimate black and white snap of the duke relaxing at home, surrounded by his two Norfolk terriers.
It is believed to have been taken at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, which the former couple have shared since 2008 despite their divorce in 1996.
Fergie, 60, captioned the image with an uncharacteristically subdued, short but sweet message: ‘Happy 60th Birthday to Andrew.’
Her post was liked by thousands of fans – as well as daughter Princess Eugenie – and prompted to many to comment on their close relationship.
The Duchess of York shared an unseen photo of her ex-husband Prince Andrew to wish him happy birthday today
Sarah Ferguson’s message was uncharacteristically subdued – and brief compared to an emotional post she shared to Instagram about Andrew in November last year
One commented: ‘You guys seriously should get back together! #Britainsbestcouple,’ while another wrote: ‘Why don’t you both just get back together, you’re closer now than you have ever been, just do it.’
‘Why don’t you and Fergie just make up, she’s at your side every step of the way, marry marry please,’ begged another.
Speaking about their close connection, royal expert Robert Jobson told FEMAIL: ‘Sarah has been a rock for Andrew at this time. She is his number one supporter and at this tricky time for him she has been somebody he could turn to.
‘They have remained very good friends whilst they raise their children and her continued support of her ex husband shows what a mature relationship and good appreciation of each other they have.’
Fergie’s post was liked by thousands of fans – as well as daughter Princess Eugenie – and prompted to many to comment on their close relationship and urge them to rekindle their romance
One of Prince Andrew’s dogs who featured on Sarah’s birthday portrait also played a starring role in the Yorks’ Christmas card last year. The card featured a terrier with its head in a bush, showing its rear end to the camera, with the caption: ‘Say Goodbye to 2019’.
The official Royal Family Instagram account offered a public show of support for Andrew, widely considered to be the Queen’s ‘favourite’ son, by sharing two photos: a childhood snap of the prince and a new formal portrait.
The caption reads: ‘On this day in 1960, Prince Andrew was born at Buckingham Palace, the first child born to a reigning monarch for 103 years. Happy Birthday to The Duke of York.’
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have remained close friends despite their divorce in 1996. Pictured together at Royal Ascot in July last year
The Duchess of York’s Instagram tribute was brief compared to an emotional post she shared in November last year, in which she called her ex ‘this giant of a principled man’ amid allegations over his close friendship with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
She wrote: ‘It is so rare to meet people that are able to speak from their hearts with honesty and pure real truth, that remain steadfast and strong to their beliefs. Andrew is a true and real gentleman and is stoically steadfast to not only his duty but also his kindness and goodness of always seeing the best in people.
‘I am deeply supportive and proud of this giant of a principled man, that dares to put his shoulder to the wind and stands firm with his sense of honour and truth.’
She went on to say it is time for Andrew to ‘stand firm’ and it is her ‘honour’ to be with him ‘every step of the way’.
Sarah Ferguson tweeted out a series of pictures of the duke, defending him ahead of the bombshell interview with Emily Maitlis
Sarah Ferguson posted an extraordinary tribute to her ex-husband in November amid allegations over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein
The posts are a glimmer of normality on what will otherwise be a day of muted celebrations for Andrew, one far removed from the fanfare typically enjoyed by senior royals on their milestone birthdays.
The duke was due to be promoted to admiral on his 60th birthday, in line with a longstanding policy that sees senior royals treated as serving military members.
But Buckingham Palace has already said the duke has asked to defer the promotion until he is able to fully resume royal duties.
The Queen paid tribute to Prince Andrew as he celebrates his 60th birthday under the cloud of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. She shared this photo of the Duke of York to mark the occasion
The Royal Family also shared this new formal portrait of the Duke of York to mark the birthday
There will be no dazzling party at Buckingham Palace, although there will be a small family dinner at Royal Lodge for about a dozen, including Sarah Ferguson and their daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.
The bells of Westminster Abbey will still ring out in celebration as it is a Royal Peculiar, a place of worship that falls under the jurisdiction of the monarch rather than a bishop.
It’s a far cry from Andrew’s 50th. By then, his association with Jeffrey Epstein — the disgraced U.S. financier who was found dead in a New York prison cell last August — was well known, but it failed to deter a string of glamorous women from attending the Duke’s birthday bash, which was held over a weekend at St James’s Palace.
Andrew’s birthday comes on what has been a difficult week for his mother the Queen, with her nephew David Linley announcing his divorce from wife Serena, and her grandson Peter Phillips revealing he has separated from his wife Autumn. Pictured, Andrew and the Queen last month
Prince Andrew has maintained that he never ‘witnessed or suspected any improper behaviour by Epstein’ and strenuously denied any allegations of wrongdoing
Partygoers included Catrina Skepper, the one-time Pretty Polly and Cadbury’s Flake model, as well as socialite Caroline Stanbury, who subsequently appeared on reality TV show Ladies Of London, and Kazakh-born socialite Goga Ashkenazi.
The Duke of York also gave a TV interview, in which he discussed criticisms levelled against his extravagant lifestyle.
Andrew’s birthday comes on what has been a difficult week for his mother the Queen, with her nephew David Linley announcing his divorce from wife Serena, and her grandson Peter Phillips revealing he has separated from his wife Autumn.
Sarah Ferguson married Prince Andrew in 1986 and the couple have remained close to co-parent their daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie since their divorce in 1996
The monarch, 93, has also had to manage the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes’ recent departure, and the Duke of York’s decision to step back from royal duties in the wake of his disastrous Newsnight interview.
The duke faced a backlash after the interview with critics accusing him of failing to show regret over his friendship with the disgraced financier, and empathy with his victims.
Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by Epstein, also alleges the duke had sex with her on three separate occasions, including when she was 17, still a minor under US law.
Andrew, who strenuously denies the allegations, has faced calls to talk to the FBI and US prosecutors still investigating Epstein.