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Sarah Ferguson defends Eugenie's husband over boat trip with topless models

Watch: Sarah Ferguson releases her debut adult novel

Sarah Ferguson has defended her son-in-law and referred to him as a "superhero" after he was pictured on a boat in Italy with topless women.

Jack Brooksbank, who is married to Princess Eugenie, Ferguson's daughter, was spotted over the weekend cruising around the Italian island of Capri on a yacht trip with topless and bikini-clad models.

Eugenie is in Windsor with their five-month-old son August - but Ferguson defended Brooksbank, pointing out the trip was part of his job.

Appearing on The One Show to talk about her new book, she was asked about her own experience with the press and her family, and she said:

"Jack, who was on the front page, is a man of such integrity, and he is just one of my most favourite people, I call him James Bond actually.

"He's a superhero, in my book, he's a great father, fabulous husband, he is never front of house, he's always in the background... this story is of course completely fabricated, he works as an ambassador for Casamigos and he was doing his job. It's really important we clarify that for Jack's sake."

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 22:  Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie attend an exclusive dinner hosted by Poppy Jamie to celebrate the launch of her first book
Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie (Getty Images)

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A picture of Brooksbank with his arm around Maria Buccellati, a model turned fashion ambassador, appeared on her Instagram story.

He was also shown enjoying a dip in the sea with some of the other yacht guests, and towelling off after, close to one woman who was topless.

According to the Mail On Sunday, Brooksbank was there as part of his work on a ball for Casamigos, the tequila brand which was founded by George Clooney.

Ferguson also spoke to the BBC show on Monday about life as a grandmother, as Eugenie and Brooksbank welcomed August in February.

"I've had sisters, I've had daughters, and now it's Barbies, hello, put to one side, I've got to get into cars and trucks, and engines, although it has to be said if lovely August wants Barbies we will bring the Barbies back out.

"In life we never judge anything or anyone, we just go for the heart," she said.

She added that it is an "exciting" time and praised Eugenie as a "great mum", saying she was proud of her.

"Beatrice is about to have a baby soon and she's already got Wulfie [her stepson], who she is great with, and he is five and likes watching storytime with Fergie," Ferguson added.

Storytime with Fergie is a daily YouTube reading Ferguson started during the first lockdown.

Ferguson lives at Royal Lodge in Windsor, which is close to Windsor Castle, where the Queen has spent most of lockdown.

Sarah Ferguson has said writing her first adult novel was a dream come true. (Debbie Hare)
Sarah Ferguson has said writing her first adult novel was a dream come true. (Debbie Hare)

Read more: How Sarah Ferguson has led with her heart - like her 'rebellious' heroine

Although she has lived there most of the time since 2008, she admitted to The Sunday Times that she doesn't call it home, saying that would be "presumptuous".

She has written dozens of children's books and memoirs, but her latest work, Her Heart for a Compass, is her first adult novel.

Eugenie and Brooksbank currently live near to her parents, as they are renting Frogmore Cottage from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and moved in around the time she had August.

Beatrice lives in London with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and is stepmother to his son Christopher, from a previous relationship.

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