Sarah Ferguson tied the knot with Prince Andrew back in 1986, following a whirlwind romance. The Duke and Duchess of York, now both 59, enjoyed six happy years together, which included the arrivals of their two children: Princess Beatrice, 30, and Princess Eugenie, 29. But the duo announced they had separated in 1992, and four years later, they were granted a divorce. However, the couple remained on good terms, and continued to be pictured together in the years after.
Only this weekend, Sarah and Prince Andrew were revealed to be spending some time together, during the Bahrain Grand Prix.
They had been joined by Princess Beatrice, and her boyfriend Edoardo “Edo” Mapelli Mozzi, 34.
The getaway was documented by the Duchess, known as Fergie to some, on Instagram – as she shared captures from their “wonderful” family weekend.
Unlike some divorcees, the Duke and Duchess of York maintained an amicable relationship, and have even travelled away on holidays together as a family unit of four in the past.
Some captures from their family outings have been unearthed, and body language expert Judi James has taken a closer look at them.
In some of the captures, both parents can be seen standing behind their two young children.
The Duchess wraps her arms around Princess Beatrice in two snaps on different occasions.
Meanwhile, the Duke can be seen resting his hands on the shoulders of their youngest daughter.
Sharing her analysis exclusively with Express.co.uk, Judi spilled: “Sarah and Andrew’s poses as a family unit show suggestions of two rather different approaches to relationships and parenting.
“Sarah displays a signature spontaneous, open and tactile approach plus a desire to keep her children as close as possible.
“She binds both arms around her daughter, looking protective, warm and fiercely bonded.”
Judi went on to refer to a snap taken at a later date, in 2004, which shows the Princesses as teenagers.
“Even when the girls are bigger [in this photo], she throws both arms around them and places her own head between theirs in the line-up,” Judi noted. “Forming the kind of strong trio of ‘friends’ that they have retained throughout their lives, frequently socialising and partying together.”
Meanwhile, Judi’s analysis revealed that Prince Andrew had equally affectionate body language, however the Duke, who is the third child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, seemed more “formal” in the snap.
“Andrew places his hands on his daughter’s shoulder, also showing affection, but in a more formal and much less possessive way,” Judi explained.
“This gesture looks quietly protective but also it also reflects the royal style of encouraging the children to learn to stand on their own two feet, whereas Sarah looks much more likely to want to wrap them up in cotton wool to keep them safe and close to her.”
READ MORE: Sarah Ferguson net worth: How rich is Fergie and who funded trip with Prince Andrew?
Sarah Ferguson: Five facts about the Duchess of York
Childhood
Sarah is the second daughter of Major Ronald Ferguson and Susan Mary Wright.
Her parents divorced in 1974, with her mother going on to marry polo player Héctor Barrantes in 1975 and moving to Argentina. Sarah stayed in the UK with her father, who remarried in 1976 and went on to have three more children.
Wedding
Sarah married Prince Andrew on 23 July 1986 at Westminster Abbey in London.
She wore an ivory-silk wedding gown designed by Lindka Cierarch which had a 17 foot train and 20 foot veil. As is tradition, Sarah wore a diamond tiara, and her wedding band was crafted from Welsh gold.
The couple spent their honeymoon abroad the real yacht Britannia off the coast of the Azores Islands.
Divorce
Sarah and Andrew divorced in 1996 after separating in 1992.
However the couple remain on good terms, even living together in the Royal Lodge from 2008 until Sarah moved to a ski chalet in Switzerland they bought together in 2015.
Career
Sarah has written children’s books for many years, her first being a series about Budgie The Helicopter in the early 90s.
She has also been the US spokeswoman for WeightWatchers after famously battling her weight over the years.
On top of commercial endeavours, the Duchess devotes plenty of time to charity, including Children in Crisis, which she founded in 1993.
Social media
Fergie, as she is known to friends, uses both Twitter and Instagram.
She has over 200,000 followers across the platforms, and shares many insights in to her life.
Most of the Royal Family are not on social media, but are represented by Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace, or Clarence House.
Sarah’s daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, are the exception, with both joining their mother on social media.