Sarah Ferguson reveals the one lesson she’s learned from life

Sarah Ferguson, 63, former wife of Prince Andrew, is an author of more than 50 books, including historical romantic fiction. She lives with her ex-husband, and the late Queen’s corgis, in Windsor. 

THE QUEEN WAS MORE OF A MOTHER TO ME 

I put up with a lot of Press scrutiny when I married into the Royal Family, and a lot of comparison between me and Diana, because I knew it was for love.

You can do a lot when love comes into it. If you’re going to do something, do it with passion. I believe that very strongly and it’s something I bring into my work, too. I passionately love being an author.

One of the best jobs I’ve ever done, though, is being a mother. I’m very present. When my children were little I spent time with them, focusing on them and listening to them. I would help them understand and label their feelings.

One reason I’m a good mother is because my mother wasn’t present at all — she left me when I was 12 [to move to South America], so I know what it’s like to be brought up without a mother. That’s why the Queen was so amazing, because she was more of a mother to me than my own.

She lives with her ex-husband, and the late Queen’s corgis, in Windsor. Pictured with the late monarch in 1990

I am now in awe of my children and they have become wonderful mothers themselves. I love every second spent with mini Eugenie and mini Beatrice (her grandson, August, and grandaughter, Sienna) — they look so similar, it’s like having my babies back again.

Whether I was a duchess or not, I would have always ended up as an author. At one point, I wanted to be an Olympic show jumper, or John Wayne, but I’ve always had a great imagination. My dad [Major Ronald Ferguson] was always telling me to stop making up stories, but, in 1989, I wrote my first children’s book, Budgie The Helicopter.

Sarah says that, Duchess or not, she would always have ended up being an author. Pictured last year

With her books, she wants to offer women escapism, a chance to dive into history and out of any worries they might have

What I want to do with my books is what Mr Mills and Mr Boon envisaged when they set up their company: to offer women escapism, a chance to dive into history and out of any worries they might have. I also want them to know you can start as an author in your 60s.

As for what the future holds for me, I’d like to take up rowing and become super fit. At 63 you can do anything!

A Most Intriguing Lady by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York (£14.99, Mills & Boon), is out now.