Sarah Ferguson stands by Prince Andrew amid 'Chinese Spy' scandal

Sarah Ferguson has opened up about caring for her "sad" ex-husband Prince Andrew, vowing she "won't let him down" as fresh allegations of his ties to an alleged Chinese spy add to his controversies.

The Duchess of York and Andrew have remained remarkably close despite divorcing in 1996. The pair still reside together at the Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate.

Speaking in a new interview with The Sunday Times, conducted before the latest claims surfaced, Fergie described her enduring commitment to supporting Andrew. 

She drew parallels between her current role and caring for their late father, saying, "When Jane [her sister] left for Australia, I became a carer for Dad. I was left to look after a sad man, which is sort of what I’m doing now."

The interview was released just days after allegations surfaced that one of Andrew’s close confidants was an alleged Chinese spy, banned from the UK following an MI5 investigation. 

This individual reportedly visited Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, and Windsor Castle and was authorized to seek investors in China on Andrew’s behalf.

The claims mark another reputational blow for Andrew, who has already been sidelined from royal duties due to his controversial ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Reports suggest King Charles is "furious" over the latest developments.

Fergie expressed gratitude for their enduring connection, emphasizing that Andrew, has always been there for her. 

"He supports me as much as I support him," she said, highlighting their shared values of "communication, compromise, and compassion."

The Duchess fondly recounted how Princess Diana helped reunite her with Andrew at Ascot in 1985. 

Six months later, they were engaged. The couple welcomed daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie before their divorce in 1996. 

Despite their split, Fergie described their relationship as a unique partnership, saying they are "divorced to" rather than "divorced from" one another.

In 2018, Fergie famously told the Daily Mail: "We’re the happiest divorced couple in the world. My duty is to him. I am so proud of him. I stand by him and always will. The way we are is our fairytale."