Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has lost his royal titles, but scrutiny over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein continues to affect both him and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson. The two are still in touch, although it is not clear whether they have seen each other recently.
Ferguson’s spokesperson described their relationship as cordial and supportive, particularly in their roles as parents and grandparents.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said Ferguson could potentially be called as a witness if Andrew appears in court. He added that much may depend on whether British police can obtain unredacted Epstein records, and said he sees little prospect of Andrew returning to royal life.
Andrew has received a witness summons in a civil fraud case. It is believed to be the first summons of its kind issued to a member of the British royal family since 1870. A London High Court judge ruled last year that Andrew could be asked to testify about a payment connected to the case. He may challenge the summons, so it is not certain he will give evidence.
The lawsuit was brought by Turkish national Nebahat Evyap Isbilen, who alleges that her former adviser, Selman Turk, improperly diverted tens of millions of pounds from her. Isbilen says Turk misled her about a £750,000 payment—roughly $1 million—that he arranged for her to send to Andrew in 2019. Andrew repaid the money in 2021 and is not a defendant in the case. Turk denies wrongdoing.
Police Scotland has confirmed it is making preliminary inquiries into information concerning Andrew, Epstein and Balmoral Castle, the royal family’s estate in Scotland. The force said its work is evidence-led and that the needs of survivors are central to its inquiries. Police have not said whether Andrew is being investigated or detailed the focus of the inquiries.
The inquiries follow reports of allegations that women were trafficked to the estate, where Andrew hosted Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate. Police Scotland said it would not comment further while inquiries remain underway.
Andrew is living privately on the King’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Ferguson has been spending time with their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and her five grandchildren since returning to the U.K. in late August, according to her spokesperson. She is said to be settling in and considering what to do next.
Ferguson is renting a home in the counties around London after previously spending time in the Austrian Alps. Royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner suggested she may be keeping a low profile to let tensions around the royal family ease. He said she may also be trying to avoid adding to public attention around Andrew, while worrying about how the controversy could affect her daughters.
Turner described Andrew and Ferguson’s relationship as having remained close over the years, even after their divorce. When they shared a home at Royal Lodge, he said, they made time for one another regularly.
On Feb. 19, Andrew’s 66th birthday, Thames Valley Police arrested him on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest followed allegations that he passed confidential information to Epstein while working as a British trade envoy. Andrew has not been charged. The investigation came after the King stripped his brother of his remaining royal titles and honors in 2025 because of his association with Epstein.
In October, Andrew won a legal challenge over search warrants used to raid two properties linked to him. A High Court judge ruled that police had relied on the wrong legal provisions. The judge also made clear that quashing the warrants did not end the investigation or mean the entire inquiry was unlawful.
Andrew has repeatedly denied wrongdoing related to Epstein. Ferguson, who has not been accused of wrongdoing connected to the financier, withdrew from public life after newly released documents brought renewed attention to their past relationship. Epstein died in federal custody in 2019.
Emails made public in the documents showed Ferguson continued to praise Epstein after his 2008 conviction, including calling him a “supreme friend.” British broadcaster Helena Chard said Ferguson’s long, complicated relationship with Andrew had previously been presented as a friendly arrangement built around co-parenting after divorce. Chard believes the pair may remain publicly cordial for their daughters while being more distant in private.
Chard said Ferguson was likely focused on her family but also on rebuilding her own life. She said the emails had cost Ferguson charity roles, book opportunities and invitations, though she still has close friends.
Ferguson made a rare public appearance with her daughters on Oct. 29 at a London memorial service for Paddy McNally, a former boyfriend and longtime friend who died in July at 88. Chard said McNally had supported Ferguson during a difficult period in the Austrian Alps and helped her find the confidence to return to the U.K.
Ferguson’s next steps are not clear. Her spokesperson said she hopes to build an independent life and is not preparing a tell-all memoir. She has previously written several books.
Chard said a renewed relationship with King Charles, Prince William and Catherine may be difficult while Ferguson remains associated with Andrew. She suggested Ferguson could be working toward a return to public life with support from her daughters, grandchildren and friends.
