For decades, Sarah Ferguson has been the unpredictable, scandal-prone Duchess of York — but now, one royal biographer is tearing apart her public image with claims that go beyond the usual tabloid chatter.

Andrew Lownie, a respected royal historian and author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, has branded the Duchess “a vulgar limpet on the Royal Family and a fraud.” His accusations strike at the heart of Ferguson’s ongoing use of her royal connections — nearly 30 years after her divorce from Prince Andrew.

A Tale of Two Reputations

In America, “Fergie” has been something of a cult favorite. She is seen as lively, approachable, even quirky — the fun royal who somehow survived the scandals of the ‘90s and reinvented herself as a children’s author, speaker, and lifestyle entrepreneur.

But in Britain, where her every misstep has been dissected by tabloids for decades, the mood is starkly different. Lownie argues that while Americans watch from afar and embrace a softened narrative, the British know her history too well to be charmed.

“Americans have a completely false view of her,” Lownie told reporters. “They think she’s a kooky, kind, energetic victim who is amazing. In reality, she’s a very manipulative woman who gets other people to do the work.”

He continued: “The British perception is that she is a limpet on the Royal Family, she’s very vulgar, she’s exploited her royal position, and she’s a bit of a fraud.”

The Duchess Who Won’t Let Go

At the heart of the criticism is Ferguson’s continued use of her royal title. Though she divorced Prince Andrew in 1996 and was stripped of the HRH (Her Royal Highness) style, she continues to market herself as “The Duchess of York.”

Her ventures, including her lifestyle brand The Duchess Collection, lean heavily on her royal associations. She has authored or co-authored more than 70 books, often with ghostwriters, and appeared at countless events where her title served as a calling card.

“She uses the title Duchess, and she’s not been married to the Duke for almost 30 years,” Lownie emphasized. “She was even using the HRH after the divorce — despite being deprived of it — and all of her marketing is around being a Duchess. She is absolutely blatantly exploiting being a royal for commercial gain.”

From Scandal to Reinvention

Sarah Ferguson’s controversies have long overshadowed her efforts to rehabilitate her image. In the 1990s, she was infamously caught in a tabloid sting where she appeared to offer access to Prince Andrew in exchange for money. Financial woes followed, as did repeated headlines about her questionable business dealings and associations.

But Ferguson has also shown resilience. She has cultivated an international brand, tapping into the American market where she enjoys a warmer reception. She has written children’s books, dabbled in wellness products, and even carved out a career in television.

To her defenders, she’s an underdog who survived the relentless cruelty of the British press. To her critics, she’s a shrewd opportunist who never stopped cashing in on a title she arguably no longer deserves.

The Meghan Markle Factor

The timing of Lownie’s scathing remarks is notable. They come just as Meghan Markle — often compared to Ferguson as an outsider-turned-duchess — was reported to be “inconsolable” after being attacked by a former role model.

The parallels are difficult to ignore: both women faced harsh media treatment, both stepped outside royal conventions, and both sought independence through commercial ventures. But where Meghan is accused of betraying the monarchy through public criticism, Ferguson’s crime, in Lownie’s view, is clinging too tightly to the monarchy for personal profit.

A Divisive Figure

Even now, Sarah Ferguson walks a fine line. She is not an official member of the Royal Family, yet she remains on the periphery, often appearing at royal-adjacent events and maintaining a close relationship with her ex-husband, Prince Andrew.

For some, her presence is harmless — a reminder of a royal soap opera that refuses to end. For others, it’s an embarrassment: a lingering reminder of scandal, vulgarity, and opportunism.

The blunt assessment from Lownie — calling her “a vulgar limpet” — only crystallizes the simmering frustration among royal watchers who feel Ferguson has exploited every ounce of her former status.

What Comes Next?

As King Charles continues to reshape the monarchy with a focus on slimmed-down roles and tightened protocols, questions linger about how much longer figures like Ferguson can continue trading on royal ties.

But one thing is certain: Sarah Ferguson has never been one to fade quietly into the background. Whether loved or loathed, she has a knack for staying in the conversation — and for turning scandal into survival.

And in the end, perhaps that’s her greatest royal skill of all.