Sarah Ferguson rejected carriage invitation from King Charles out of respect for Prince Andrew, according to new reports.
The Duchess of York, 65, appeared in great spirits along with her stylish daughter Princess Beatrice at Wimbledon's opening day today, marking the first visit to the tournament since 2001.
The 36-year-old royal and ex-wife of Prince Andrew, Fergie, were seen enjoying the matches from the prestigious Royal Box at SW19.
The outing is a notable return for Fergie, who was once a frequent attendee of the Championships during the 1980's and 1990's, often spotted alongside her close friend, the late Princess Diana.
However, according to the DailyMail, the monarch 76, had extended an invitation for Sarah to join the prestigious carriage procession, a significant honour she had not received since her divorce from Prince Andrew in 1996.
As of now reports, Sarah politely declined the offer, allegedly to protect the feelings of her former husband, Prince Andrew, despite the symbolic importance of such a gesture. It is important to mention that Prince Andrew's position within the royal family changed when he stepped down from official duties in 2019.
He was permitted to attend the pre-race lunch at Ascot but was reportedly restricted from participating in the racing events themselves.
A source told the outlet: 'Andrew, who loved the pomp of the procession, was allowed at the pre-racing lunch but banned from attending the racing.'
Meanwhile, Sarah's recent appearance in the Royal Box at Wimbledon hinted at her ongoing reintegration into royal life under King Charles's reign.
Her presence at Royal Ascot on two separate days further signals her strong position within the royal family and the King's apparent willingness to welcome her back into the fold.
While Sarah's royal status appears to be on the rise, Prince Andrew's position remains troubled.
