Sarah Ferguson's heartfelt tribute to ‘dear friend’ Princess Diana on what would have been 63rd birthday
The Duchess of York has shared a heartfelt birthday message to the late Princess Diana, who would have celebrated her 63rd birthday today.
Taking to X, Sarah posted a throwback picture of herself alongside the late royal, who died aged 36 in August 1997. Prince Andrew's ex-wife, who was known to have been close to Diana, referred to her as "my dear friend".
Her post read: "Happy birthday to my dear friend, Diana. You were a pillar of light and love. And what a legacy you have left behind. I will forever remember our laughter and the kindred, kind spirit I found in you. I am sure you are watching over us always. Rest in peace my friend."
Royal fans have reacted to Sarah's sweet post, with one fan commenting on the bond the two shared.
The comment read: "Loved the bond you both shared thinking of you to day Sarah x."
Another fan replied to Sarah's post, commenting: "She was incredible. How proud she would be of The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children."
Reflecting on what Diana would be doing if she were alive today, Sarah told the Sun: “I think first and foremost she’d be hugging her grandchildren and so proud of both her sons and their wives.
“She’d be travelling between Santa Barbara and Kensington Palace. She would also be championing her causes when it came to children’s charities.”
Sarah and Diana were just one year apart in age and counted themselves as childhood friends long before their marriages to Prince Andrew and Prince (now King) Charles.
Speaking to People about the treatment she and Diana had received from the press, the Duchess explained that the pair made sure they supported each other despite attempts to turn them against one another.
She told the magazine: “In the ’80s, it was Diana looking beautiful, and there was fat, frumpy Fergie. We were just there for people to make a lot of money. At the time we both didn’t realise that.”
Last year, Sarah opened up on how her mastectomy helped her overcome her self-hatred - which was sparked by being constantly compared to Princess Diana.
The Duchess of York revealed she had undergone the operation earlier in 2023 at King Edward VII's Hospital in London after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
The 63 year old - known as Fergie - spoke on her Tea Talks podcast about how, in the past, she didn’t ‘like herself’ - even though, looking back, she now realises she had 'good legs' and 'looked good'.
She added: “That was because I think I was always compared to Diana and I think that at the end I sort of believed my own press which is, you know, not too good.”
