What is your opinion about Sarah, Duchess of York?

[Tzu An]

I believe the majority of her problems came from the messed up perception of what life was supposed to be like for a royal. She thought it would be living like a wealthy society wife, not a lifetime of engagements, meeting diplomatic heads of state, dressing like a royal, not a starlet from Hollywood. She had a personality that tended toward the excessive in all things and was unable or unwilling to dicipline herself.

3. she used to be and should how important "image" is...like the reported flirting she did with david at the latter and his wife victoria's recent party to think she was with one of her daughters (not to mention the beyonce dance step she tried to copy)
i could not imagine her daughters embarrassment that night...

She seems to think of herself as perpetually young. She doesn't beheve appropriately for someone her age and never behaved appropriately for someone of her stature and position when she was HRH The Duchess of York. She really cheapened the title and the idea as to how royalty is supposed to behave.

She is still too loud whenever she speaks. She still lacks decorum and seems, to me at least, to flaunt herself in front of the camera whenever there is one around.

She is far too boisterous and overwhelming. < ed disparaging conjecture. Warren >.

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by soCal girl

Sarah's alright in my book. The only thing that irks me is that she was not part of the BRF for that long but it seems that she makes sure people know that she's involved with them. Yes, she has given birth to two beautiful daughters who are in line to the throne but I wish her "royal connection" was not played up so much. I know she is Sarah, Duchess of York but she is no longer officially involved with the BRF and the title was given out of courtesy.

You make a valid point. hadn't occurred to me, but it's true: Sarah's turn as a member of the BRF was a long long time ago. I agree whole heartedly: She should leave the past the past and move on. Thing is, she can't in a way, because she is milking her royal past for all it's worth. It's what she does now for a living and I agree with all of you who say this is pretty demeaning, or at least becoming that way. She should wake up, smell the coffee and get herself a <real> career.

Everyone has been talking about how hard she works, but she works hard exactly at what? Am a bit puzzled here. She flies around the world, sure, to look at sick kids or whatever, but she'd never been invited if it hadn't been for the fact she was married once to the second in line to the British throne (the only throne the American audience recognizes and pays dearly for in terms of purchasing tabloid magazines. Don't try to ask anyone on the street here in the good old US of A who, say, Maxima is: the majority wouldn't have a clue, and not give a fig, either.)

The British royals are IT in America and Sarah knows that and milks it, to death and beyond, and I agree, it's getting old.

[Zonk]

Originally Posted by soCal girl

Sarah's alright in my book. The only thing that irks me is that she was not part of the BRF for that long but it seems that she makes sure people know that she's involved with them. Yes, she has given birth to two beautiful daughters who are in line to the throne but I wish her "royal connection" was not played up so much. I know she is Sarah, Duchess of York but she is no longer officially involved with the BRF and the title was given out of courtesy.

I don't think the title was given out of courtesy. It really is her name. If she had married Andrew Williams of Washington, DC she would still be Sarah Williams (unless you tell the courty you would rather go back to your maiden name) So she is using her title correctly as a divorced English peeress (I believe that is the correct term).

I like Sarah. Yes, like many, I can find her a little too much at times. Sometimes when she says things about the girls, I am like...MYSTERY SARAH. Sometimes you don't have to share EVERYTHING. But hey, if her girls are complaining about her sharing too much information about their lives, who am I too complain.

I admire the fact that she accumulated a HUGE debt and managed to pay it off and yes, she trades on her connections but can anyone name someone who hasn't. I mean, what is she supposed to do get a real ordinary job. She doesn't come from money. I also respect the fact that most of the business enterprises that she does are not in England so that she doesn't totally embarass the RF.

In regards to Andrew. From my observations (here on the East Coast). I think that they have an enduring love. Maybe not as passoniate as when they first got married. But rather a mature respectful love. Maybe Andrew won't remarry because that person is not Sarah and Sarah wouldn't remarry him because of his family (I am thinking Prince Phillip). IMO when the Queen and Prince Phillip pass (not that I am advocating this but its a fact of life) something will change in their relationship. Mark my words.

[helent]

Sarah, Duchess Of York has shown herself to be an inspiration to many with her charity work and weight watchers role. She has had to raise two daughters and ensure they are aware of their priveleged royal position and overall she has done a great job from my perspective. I have met her once and I thought she was lovely. The pay out she got from the royal family was very small and she has had to work to pay off debts , which she has and should be congratulated for doing this.

[Smilla]

I like Sarah, although she's done her share of bloody stupid things after marrying Andrew. I think she was very young and not really given to quiet introspection, a bit of an airhead. But she's pulled herself out of her problems and learned from her mistakes. She didn't fail to get up when she was down, and for that I greatly respect her.

[Princess BellyFlop]

I just don't like her. period.

[kelly1972]

I am like many of you. I like Sarah for some things she does but, not for others. I have the utmost respect for the women for getting her life reorganize and for getting out of serious debt after her divorce from Andrew and her charity work. I also believe she is an excellent mother who really adores her girls. I do feel though that sometimes she over does things and beats it to death. In my opinion she does use her former royal statis to her advantage in the US.

[kimebear]

Sarah Ferguson was a flamboyant "party" girl before Andrew ever met her. He obviously knew how she was and fell in love with her anyway, and, eventually married her. Like it or not, she is who she is. Some people who are not born royal will never adapt to the life. At least she got out while she and Andrew were still able to maintain a good relationship. She didn't wait until they broke her spirit like poor Princess Masako of Japan who is still recovering from a nervous breakdown and she never bad mouthed her former in-laws no matter how badly they treated her.

As far as "letting Andrew go", I wasn't aware that he was desperately trying to get her back. It seems to me that, being the 4th in line to the throne, he could certainly renounce his claim and remarry her if that is what he really wanted and his family was against it. She does have more money that he does so her living with him is not an act of charity on his part. Maybe, , they are just genuinely happier this way. Also, it is quite correct that she uses the style of a divorced peeress. It is certainly her right like it would be for any other divorced peeress. It is her legal name.

As for her cashing in on her royal status, well, I can think of worse things to do than writing (apparently very good) childrens books and casting a light on fighting obesity (which is becoming a national epidemic in Britain, but still treated like a dirty secret). Oh yes, lets not forget that she is teaching Beatrice to do it too. The absolute shame of outing yourself as someone with dyslexia! Because other teenagers who suffer from it would have absolutely no comfort in knowing that even princesses are not spared. Yes, Sarah is truly vulgar indeed.

[Incas]

Originally Posted by kimebear

Sarah Ferguson was a flamboyant "party" girl before Andrew ever met her...

And from what I remember, Andrew's nickname was "Randy Andy" before his marriage. They were/are very similar in temperment. I think they would have been the perfect couple. The difference between them was that Andrew appeared to have settled down after he got married, whereas Sarah didn't until after their divorce.

[ysbel]

Originally Posted by Incas

And from what I remember, Andrew's nickname was "Randy Andy" before his marriage. They were/are very similar in temperment. I think they would have been the perfect couple. The difference between them was that Andrew appeared to have settled down after he got married, whereas Sarah didn't until after their divorce.

Yes, I was quite surprised how much Andrew has settled down. I still remember pictures of him outside of the burning Windsor castle during the Queen's annus horribilis when it seemed like many had turned against the Queen. Despite his own troubles, he stood by his mother and stood up to the plate and became the point person for what was going on at the castle, making press conferences, answering questions.

I think memories of Randy Andy were long gone by then.

[Roslyn]

Originally Posted by helent

Sarah, Duchess Of York has shown herself to be an inspiration to many with her charity work and weight watchers role. She has had to raise two daughters and ensure they are aware of their priveleged royal position and overall she has done a great job from my perspective. I have met her once and I thought she was lovely. The pay out she got from the royal family was very small and she has had to work to pay off debts , which she has and should be congratulated for doing this.

I agree. I think she's done a fine job getting herself together and paying off her debts and raising her girls. And during this time she's been very circumspect regarding the subject of the RF when interviewed and only said good things about the Queen.

She made mistakes, she accepted the consequences and moved on, apparently with good grace. I admire her and I also like her.

As for her having a "normal" career, and not trading on her Royal links, I doubt she could ever do that. When she was in Sydney several years ago promoting something or other - some time after the divorce - whatever she was doing involved attending a shop in Castlereagh Street near my office, and I was walking by shortly before the time she was to arrive. There were police outside the entrance to the building with walkie-talkies and you could see they were carefully watching passers-by. Some sort of overt security arrangements had been made for her visit, which had been publicised. Maybe they were expecting a crowd to gather.

Her presence is still newsworthy, and attracts attention. Even if Sarah doesn't have police protection any more I suspect she probably has minders of some sort, and the people with whom she does business would be conscious of her security, and I can't imagine her being able to carry on a career quietly and anonymously, simply because of who she is.

The fact remains that she was a member of the RF and her daughters are grandchildren of the Queen of England. Though she is not a member of the RF anymore, she has a permanent connection to the family that sets her apart from everyone else and I don't think she's abusing the connection. I think she's just adapted well to her particular circumstances.

[Iain]

I always felt that Sarah is a very genuine person, unlike Diana she was never an actress and what you saw was what you got.

[angiep]

I've always like Sarah, myself. I can understand how some people think she wasn't as 'refined' as some of the other royals but I look now at Princess Maxima and she reminds me of Sarah a lot. Maxima makes the facial expressions, she smokes (from what I've heard) and she has somewhat of a 'party' image but she gets away with it. So I think a lot of it was simply the time period that Sarah came into the fold because I think if it were now in the year 2006, she'd be treated more favorably by the public and the press. Whatever the opinion on her, I think since her troubles she has handled herself remarkably well and the relationship with her and Andrew speaks for itself. How many divorced couples in or out of the public eye get along so well? And their daughters both seem well-adjusted young ladies so far. I still hold out hold that Sarah and Andrew will get remarried some day, I think she could be a very positive thing for the royal family again.

[BeatrixFan]

I think that Sarah was a little to eager to impress. If she had been herself and not tried to be like Diana, then I'm sure she would have been more popular but instead she was slightly cringe-making. I think that now, she's got a better idea of what life in the RF is like and I think she'd be a good Royal but sadly she's been too friendly with the media to ever be allowed back in as a wife.

[Lovelydiana]

I don't know what it is about Sarah but i have always liked her. In my opinion she is a very good person and she has made her own money and I heard she may even have more money than Andrew. She has helped so many people by being open with her battle of the bulge and with having troubles with her weight. She has inspired many people in that way to try to lose weight and be healthy again. Sarah has made a name for herself though she is known as "Andrew's ex wife." I think Sarah is a good person and that she should keep doing what she's doing!

[Australian]

I like Sarah. Yes she has made mistakes in her life, but haven't we all? But i think she has grown up into a respectable woman who i find is very real. I remember watching an interview with her on an Australian show called 'Rove Live' and she seemed like a genuine warm person. She stated in an interview (cant remember which one) that "I am real". I liked that.

[Princess BellyFlop]

Originally Posted by Australian

I like Sarah. She stated in an interview (cant remember which one) that "I am real". I liked that.

Well, I do not like her and I would be surprised and I would certainly remember if she would state in an interview that she is a fake! Of course she'll say she's real. That's PR101 and she's good at PR.

[Incas]

Originally Posted by Princess BellyFlop

Well, I do not like her and I would be surprised and I would certainly remember if she would state in an interview that she is a fake! Of course she'll say she's real. That's PR101 and she's good at PR.

If she said she was a fake, wouldn't that make her "real"?

[Australian]

Originally Posted by Princess BellyFlop

Well, I do not like her and I would be surprised and I would certainly remember if she would state in an interview that she is a fake! Of course she'll say she's real. That's PR101 and she's good at PR.

The question she was asked was "What makes you different from the Royal Family?" and she replied "I am real"

By this she is, in my interpretation , alluding to the fact that she feels emotions and shows emotions, i dont know. I dont think she is referring to the fake/real concept, but rather, feelings and emotions.

And i have completed PR303 last semester as PR is my major lol :)

[ysbel]

Originally Posted by Princess BellyFlop

Well, I do not like her and I would be surprised and I would certainly remember if she would state in an interview that she is a fake! Of course she'll say she's real. That's PR101 and she's good at PR.

How on earth can you say that Sarah is good at PR? She gets horrible scathing mention from the press despite the success she's had with her business and her life lately; if that's her PR then Sarah ought to fire her publicist.