Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, photographed for PEOPLE.Photo: David BurtonSarah Fergusonwas more than happy to provide her royal insight to producers of Netflix’sEmmy-nominatedhistorical fiction dramaThe Crown.The series' four seasons so far have covered decades, from just beforeQueen Elizabeth’s 1947 wedding toPrince Philipand ascent to the throne to, most recently, the globally watched royal weddings of the 1980s, includingPrince CharlesandPrincess Diana’s 1981 nuptials.Despite a brief glimpse of her 1986 wedding toPrince Andrew, the Duchess of York toldTown & Countryin their most recent digital cover story that she couldn’t help but half-jokingly ask, “Hello? Where is Fergie?“So she emailed executive producer Andy Harries, she reveals: “I said to him, ‘Why can’t I help my character?'“Though the show didn’t take Ferguson up on her offer, she is still a fan, tellingUS Weeklyearlier this year that “it was filmed beautifully. The cinematography was excellent.“Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!Sarah Ferguson and Princess Diana in 1983.Georges De Keerie/GettyMuch more prominently featured in the show is the late Diana, who was a dear friend to the Duchess since Diana was 14 and Ferguson was 15.In fact, Diana introduced Ferguson to Prince Andrew. “I said to her, ‘Oh, Andrew’s really good-looking,'” recalls the Duchess. “And she said, ‘Duh, Fergs!'” (The pair wed divorced in 1996 but remain close co-parents of daughtersPrincess Eugenie, 31, andPrincess Beatrice, 32.)In some ways, though, the Duchess is probably content she has thus far remained a side figure in the fictionalized world ofThe Crown. After all, she’s seen her share of real-world scandal and scrutiny in the 35 years since she joined the royal family.“When you have a sense of humor and you’re a redhead, everyone takes you for a big hurricane,” she told PEOPLE in a recent cover story. “But sometimes, youdon’t always want to be the eye of the storm.“These days, “It’s likeI’ve gotten out of my own way,” she shared. “I’ve really become Sarah. The Duchess is there. Good old Fergie’s there too. But Sarah is authentically present.“David Levenson/GettyShestruggled emotionallywith her portrayal as “fat, frumpy Fergie” in comparison to Diana, she told PEOPLE. “We were positioned as saint and sinner.““We were just there for people to make a lot of money. At the time we both didn’t realize that,” she said.But her longtime friend offered some sage advice: “Diana and I both had our own mental health issues, and she and I used to talk [about them]. She said, ‘Fergie, remember one thing: When you’re at the top of the pedestal, it’s so easy to fall off. And you’re at the bottom. You just climb up.'”
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, photographed for PEOPLE.Photo: David Burton
Sarah Fergusonwas more than happy to provide her royal insight to producers of Netflix’sEmmy-nominatedhistorical fiction dramaThe Crown.The series’ four seasons so far have covered decades, from just beforeQueen Elizabeth’s 1947 wedding toPrince Philipand ascent to the throne to, most recently, the globally watched royal weddings of the 1980s, includingPrince CharlesandPrincess Diana’s 1981 nuptials.Despite a brief glimpse of her 1986 wedding toPrince Andrew, the Duchess of York toldTown & Countryin their most recent digital cover story that she couldn’t help but half-jokingly ask, “Hello? Where is Fergie?“So she emailed executive producer Andy Harries, she reveals: “I said to him, ‘Why can’t I help my character?'“Though the show didn’t take Ferguson up on her offer, she is still a fan, tellingUS Weeklyearlier this year that “it was filmed beautifully. The cinematography was excellent.“Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!Sarah Ferguson and Princess Diana in 1983.Georges De Keerie/GettyMuch more prominently featured in the show is the late Diana, who was a dear friend to the Duchess since Diana was 14 and Ferguson was 15.In fact, Diana introduced Ferguson to Prince Andrew. “I said to her, ‘Oh, Andrew’s really good-looking,'” recalls the Duchess. “And she said, ‘Duh, Fergs!'” (The pair wed divorced in 1996 but remain close co-parents of daughtersPrincess Eugenie, 31, andPrincess Beatrice, 32.)In some ways, though, the Duchess is probably content she has thus far remained a side figure in the fictionalized world ofThe Crown. After all, she’s seen her share of real-world scandal and scrutiny in the 35 years since she joined the royal family.“When you have a sense of humor and you’re a redhead, everyone takes you for a big hurricane,” she told PEOPLE in a recent cover story. “But sometimes, youdon’t always want to be the eye of the storm.“These days, “It’s likeI’ve gotten out of my own way,” she shared. “I’ve really become Sarah. The Duchess is there. Good old Fergie’s there too. But Sarah is authentically present.“David Levenson/GettyShestruggled emotionallywith her portrayal as “fat, frumpy Fergie” in comparison to Diana, she told PEOPLE. “We were positioned as saint and sinner.““We were just there for people to make a lot of money. At the time we both didn’t realize that,” she said.But her longtime friend offered some sage advice: “Diana and I both had our own mental health issues, and she and I used to talk [about them]. She said, ‘Fergie, remember one thing: When you’re at the top of the pedestal, it’s so easy to fall off. And you’re at the bottom. You just climb up.'”
Sarah Fergusonwas more than happy to provide her royal insight to producers of Netflix’sEmmy-nominatedhistorical fiction dramaThe Crown.
The series’ four seasons so far have covered decades, from just beforeQueen Elizabeth’s 1947 wedding toPrince Philipand ascent to the throne to, most recently, the globally watched royal weddings of the 1980s, includingPrince CharlesandPrincess Diana’s 1981 nuptials.
Despite a brief glimpse of her 1986 wedding toPrince Andrew, the Duchess of York toldTown & Countryin their most recent digital cover story that she couldn’t help but half-jokingly ask, “Hello? Where is Fergie?”
So she emailed executive producer Andy Harries, she reveals: “I said to him, ‘Why can’t I help my character?'”
Though the show didn’t take Ferguson up on her offer, she is still a fan, tellingUS Weeklyearlier this year that “it was filmed beautifully. The cinematography was excellent.”
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!
Sarah Ferguson and Princess Diana in 1983.Georges De Keerie/Getty
Much more prominently featured in the show is the late Diana, who was a dear friend to the Duchess since Diana was 14 and Ferguson was 15.
In fact, Diana introduced Ferguson to Prince Andrew. “I said to her, ‘Oh, Andrew’s really good-looking,'” recalls the Duchess. “And she said, ‘Duh, Fergs!'” (The pair wed divorced in 1996 but remain close co-parents of daughtersPrincess Eugenie, 31, andPrincess Beatrice, 32.)
In some ways, though, the Duchess is probably content she has thus far remained a side figure in the fictionalized world ofThe Crown. After all, she’s seen her share of real-world scandal and scrutiny in the 35 years since she joined the royal family.
“When you have a sense of humor and you’re a redhead, everyone takes you for a big hurricane,” she told PEOPLE in a recent cover story. “But sometimes, youdon’t always want to be the eye of the storm.”
These days, “It’s likeI’ve gotten out of my own way,” she shared. “I’ve really become Sarah. The Duchess is there. Good old Fergie’s there too. But Sarah is authentically present.”
David Levenson/Getty
Shestruggled emotionallywith her portrayal as “fat, frumpy Fergie” in comparison to Diana, she told PEOPLE. “We were positioned as saint and sinner.”
“We were just there for people to make a lot of money. At the time we both didn’t realize that,” she said.
But her longtime friend offered some sage advice: “Diana and I both had our own mental health issues, and she and I used to talk [about them]. She said, ‘Fergie, remember one thing: When you’re at the top of the pedestal, it’s so easy to fall off. And you’re at the bottom. You just climb up.'”
source: people.com
