Sarah Ferguson, the ex wife of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, had a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship with former rap superstar P Diddy, according to claims in a new book.
A new publication has put forward an unexpected link between two separate, high-profile abuse scandals: the allegations surrounding Combs’ coerced ‘freak offs’ and the former royal couple’s historical association with Jeffrey Epstein.
In Entitled, royal author Andrew Lownie claims Ferguson first encountered Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in 2002 at a party hosted by Ghislaine Maxwell, described as Epstein’s now-imprisoned fixer and co-abuser.
Lownie alleges that by 2004 the pair had entered a ‘friends with benefits’ arrangement that was kept ‘secret’, according to excerpts carried by the Daily Mail. Separate photographs also suggest they may have crossed paths earlier, in 1998, at Combs’ celebrity-filled birthday event.
The book further claims that once the alleged relationship began in 2004, Combs told others he was ‘slamming’ the former Duchess of York in hotel suites costing $50,000 a night.
It also alleges Combs developed the fragrance ‘Unforgivable’ with Ferguson’s preferred male scent in mind.
The purported relationship is said to have taken place roughly eight years after Ferguson’s divorce from the then-Prince Andrew, during a period when their separation was often described as ‘unconventional’ because they continued living together at their Berkshire home with their two daughters.
During those years, the former couple were known to socialise with Epstein and Maxwell. Both attended Windsor Castle for Andrew’s 40th birthday in 2000, and later returned for Princess Beatrice’s 18th birthday, at a time when Epstein was facing solicitation charges.
The arrangement in which the divorced couple continued sharing a home reportedly lasted until 2004, when Andrew moved to Royal Lodge in Windsor. He remained there for years, before his association with Epstein led to King Charles removing his titles and privileges.
Lownie additionally claims Ferguson brought her younger daughter, Princess Eugenie, to one of Combs’ parties in 2006 when Eugenie was 16.
“Sean’s parties were wild. The fact that she brought Eugenie around was alarming.”
The extracts also assert that Ferguson introduced both daughters to Combs, who is described as being particularly ‘obsessed’ with the royals and as having said he could not wait until Fergie’s daughters come of age.’
The published excerpts do not specify how or when the alleged relationship between Ferguson and Combs ended.
A source said to be close to Ferguson told the Telegraph she denies the claims made in Entitled.
“This is absolute fabricated nonsense, blatantly untrue and yet another false allegation from him.”