Sarah Ferguson has been quietly staying in the same Austrian chalet for months, despite widespread speculation about her whereabouts.
According to People, the former Duchess of York has remained at a secluded property in the Austrian Alps during her extended absence from public life, putting to rest rumors that she had been traveling between countries or staying with friends.
Reports had suggested Ferguson may have been in Ireland, Switzerland or even visiting Priscilla Presley, but sources confirmed she had actually stayed at the same alpine retreat the entire time.
Her low profile comes after months out of the spotlight. Ferguson was last publicly seen in December 2025 at the christening of her granddaughter, the daughter of Princess Beatrice, though she had not made an official appearance since September that year.
Photos published on April 16 marked her first sighting in months, showing her dressed casually outside the chalet. A source told The Sun that the quiet Alpine setting made it an ideal place for her to stay out of public view, describing it as “the perfect place for a high-profile figure… to lie low.”
Ferguson’s retreat follows a turbulent period for the royal family. Her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, has faced significant controversy in recent months, while both were also required to leave their longtime residence at Royal Lodge.
As of earlier this year, Ferguson was believed to be considering her next steps and future living arrangements, including possibly relocating to Windsor or spending time abroad.
Her extended stay in Austria suggests she has chosen to remain out of the spotlight for now, even as public interest in her whereabouts continues to grow.
Ferguson grew up in Dummer, Hampshire, and attended the Queen’s Secretarial College. She later worked for public relations firms in London and for a publishing company. She began a relationship with Andrew in 1985, and they were married on 23 July 1986 at Westminster Abbey, upon which she became Duchess of York. They have two daughters: Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Their marriage, separation in 1992, and divorce in 1996 attracted extensive media coverage.
Both during and after her marriage, Ferguson has been involved with several charities, primarily focused on supporting cancer patients and children. She was the patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust from 1990 to 2025 and founded Children in Crisis and Sarah’s Trust. She has written several books for children and adults, and has worked on TV and film production.
In the years following her divorce, Ferguson was the subject of various scandals that affected her relationship with the royal family. Her friendship with the American child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein led to the termination of her roles as patron and spokesperson for multiple charities. In October 2025, Ferguson ceased using the courtesy title Duchess of York following Andrew’s announcement that he would no longer use his peerage titles.
Ferguson, known informally as “Fergie”, once described her family as “country gentry with a bit of old money”. She is a descendant of King Charles II of England through three of his illegitimate children: Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond; James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth; and Anne Lennard, Countess of Sussex.
