THE Duchess of York has been supporting the Queen with daily walks at Windsor as she mourns the loss of Prince Philip.
Fergie, 61, has not been invited to the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral on Saturday, royal sources confirmed yesterday.
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But the duchess and her ex-husband Prince Andrew have both been by Her Majesty’s side this week.
They have been making the short drive from Royal Lodge to Windsor Castle, sometimes twice a day, to walk with the Queen and her new corgis.
However, Andrew has been warned to forget plans to use his public appearances as a springboard back into royal duty.
Royal watchers believe Philip’s passing aged 99 boosts the chances of Fergie making a comeback after years in the wilderness.
Now her husband has departed, the Queen, who has a soft spot for her former daughter-in-law, might be more open to the idea of her and Andrew returning to a more prominent role within the Firm.
Fergie fell out with Prince Philip after she was photographed having her toes sucked by her financial adviser five months after she split from Andrew.
Philip, who described her as “odd” and “pointless”, would even ask for her to leave Balmoral during royal holidays before he arrived.
Despite divorcing in 1996, she has been living with her ex-husband for the past 13 years.
An insider said: “They have been going on short walks around the gardens with the Queen and her corgis. Sarah’s very much in the fold now that the Duke of Edinburgh has gone.
“The Queen has always had a soft spot for Sarah and regards her as an excellent mother.”
Fergie — mother of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie — was not expecting to be among the 30 mourners at the funeral, hugely scaled back owing to Covid.
Meanwhile, Andrew, also 61, has told friends he is sure that he will be cleared of all sex scandal claims — and sees his return to the limelight this week as a way to convince his family he can come back to the front line.
But it is understood his plans have shocked senior royals and courtiers who do not share his confidence he will be welcomed with open arms.
The Duke of York quit royal life as he was investigated by US authorities over links to his paedo pal Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who is now charged with sex trafficking of underage girls.
Andrew denies all allegations against him.
Sources say Andrew considers himself to be the Queen's “rock” after the Duke of Edinburgh's death. He will be seen walking behind the coffin by millions watching the funeral on TV.
Nigel Cawthorne, author of Prince Andrew: Epstein, Maxwell and the Palace, said: “He is clearly clutching at straws. Whether he is forgiven by the family and public or not, there is a legal process which is a significant hurdle.”
The Duke and Duchess of York married in 1986 but separated in 1992.
Fergie moved back in with him and their daughters in 2008.
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