Diana and Sarah Ferguson, lovingly known as Fergie, married the Queen’s eldest children, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew. The media called them the ‘Windsor Wives’ as they regularly appeared on formal royal occasions and could be seen laughing and chatting together. However, behind closed doors, there was a great rivalry between these two friends, according to some experts.
Writing in her 2007 biography, ‘Charles: The Man Who Will Be King’, author Howard Hodgson explained that Diana had actually slept her friend Fergie with her brother-in-law Andrew.
When he proposed to her in 1986, many thought that Diana would be delighted to have a friendly face to share the discouraging real experience.
However, Mr. Hodgson explained, “Princess Diana saw things somewhat differently.”
He wrote: “How could a woman sleeping with her husband’s brother be a trusted confidant?”
At this time, Diana’s marriage had already fallen apart.
Charles had resumed his adventure with the former flame Camilla Parker Bowles, while Diana had pursued various extramarital affairs.
Hodgson continued: “With the arrival of another royal wedding, his playmate would surely become a friend and a rival.
“The princess was right.”
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Fergie was a “fresh and unsophisticated” “girl next door, adored by the media and the public, while Diana had been in the public eye for five years.
After prioritizing the education of her children, she was not seen much in public view during this period, so Fergie became the object of public affection.
Mr. Hodgson added: “Suddenly, the princess, who had never been sure of herself all her life, now became even more insecure as it seemed that her comfort blanket of being the favorite of the national press would be snatched away. for her friend who was I am going to marry the Windsor and we will certainly side with them against her soon.
Diana herself later admitted: “I was terribly jealous.”
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According to Mr. Hodgson, she became more inconsistent with her actual commitments as a result, ranging from doing her best for her favorite charitable causes to doing nothing at all.
She also became increasingly erratic with her friends.
The biographer said: “For no apparent reason, she would completely eliminate them from her life and even refuse to receive her calls.
“Then a week, or a month, or even a year later, you can go back to them like nothing happened.”
She was reportedly the same with respect to the royal staff.
He continued: “According to all reports, it was not uncommon for the princess to scream and use obscene language on staff, whether at Kensington Palace or Highgrove, when a sudden and uncontrollable anger overwhelmed her.”
However, to overcome his jealousy over Fergie’s popularity, he asked his office to arrange additional work for her in the days of her sister-in-law’s first three outings, and then eclipsed her.
Hodgson recalled: “Diana had come out of her corner fighting and had eclipsed her rival perfectly.
“There were few times in the future that Sarah came close to challenging Diana’s position again.”
