Sarah Ferguson reveals Princess Eugenie has always had a ‘very strong character’ as she recalls her daughter’s first day of nursery
- Sarah Ferguson, 61, recalled Eugenie’s first day at Montessori nursery in 1992
- Researched Italian physician Dr Maria Montessori who started it ‘for many years’
- Thought it was important to let child ‘be free enough to describe what they want’
Sarah Ferguson has recalled her younger daughter Princess Eugenie’s first day at Montessori nursery in Windsor in 1992.
Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, 61, who resides with him at Royal lodge in Windsor and with whom she shares daughters Princess Beatrice, 32 and Princess Eugenie, 31, told how she remembers the moment ‘very well.’
‘I was really impressed by the way the school was,’ Fergie said, speaking to Hello! ‘And I researched, for many years now, Maria Montessori, who started it, and why she thought it was so important to let the child be free enough to describe what they want.’
‘And it suited Eugenie, absolutely down to a tee, because she’s a very strong character, and I wonder whether her love of History of Art came from an early age. She loves to see something aesthetically. I’m sure it came from her nursery.’
Sarah Ferguson has recalled enrolling her younger daughter Princess Eugenie into Montessori nursery and said how it suited her ‘absolutely down to a tee, because she’s a very strong character.’ Pictured, Duchess Of York helping Princess Eugenie with her school bag on her first day at Upton House school in Windsor
Sarah Ferguson and Princess Eugenie at End the Silence charity fundraiser, Abbey Road Studios in London on 31 May, 2017
Montessori nurseries focus on the child and involve active learning within an encouraging environment which is guided by skilled teachers.
The holistic approach, which was originally developed by Italian physician Dr Maria Montessori, aims to develop children’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive abilities through exploring the world around them.
The Duchess of York, who was named Chair of the newly formed International Montessori Ambassadors group in June, has previous spoken out about supporting the Montessori Group’s focus of honouring Maria Montessori’s humanitarian legacy.
‘The Montessori approach encourages a love of learning and curiosity that is life-long, and this is something I’m very passionate about,’ she explained. ‘It’s just as needed in today’s world as it was 100 years ago when Dr Maria Montessori developed her pedagogy.
Princess Eugenie’s first day at Upton House School in Windsor in 1992
‘I’m looking forward to supporting the Montessori Group to reach more children, and ensure they get the best start in life.’
The Duchess of York’s new Mills & Boon novel ‘Her Heart for A Compass’was published on August 3 and is a fictional account of the life of the Duchess’s great-great-aunt, Lady Margaret Montagu Douglas Scott.
Fergie, who has previously written her memoirs, is the author of numerous children’s books including the Little Red and Budgie the Little Helicopter series, and she was an executive producer of the 2009 historical film The Young Victoria.
In 2020 the Duchess published several new children’s books: The Enchanted Oak; Arthur Fantastic; Genie Gems.
She has many more in the pipeline, including a new Budgie book.
Her books have collectively sold over 1.5 million copies.