Sarah Ferguson 'sent strange gift with daughters after developing expensive taste'

Sarah Ferguson, pictured with her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie (Image: Dave Benett Library)

Sarah Ferguson once sent a rather peculiar gift to a vineyard owner after developing a fondness for something "expensive", it has been claimed. Well-known for her appreciation of life's luxuries, the former Duchess of York was once accustomed to skiing holidays and ponies, and reportedly spent £25,000 in a single hour at the upmarket department store Bloomingdale's during one visit.

This stands in stark contrast to her current circumstances, as she is reportedly "penniless" and living abroad in the United Arab Emirates whilst the fallout from the ongoing Epstein scandal continues to unfold.

In October 2025, Fergie lost her royal title as she and her ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, face continued scrutiny over their ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew, who was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, denies any wrongdoing in relation to his association with Epstein.

In yet another illustration of Sarah's apparent appetite for extravagance, journalist Hilary Rose recently recalled an occasion when the former duchess spent £20,000 renting a villa in the south of France in 1994.

Sarah Ferguson reportedly 'developed an expensive taste' (Image: Getty Images)

The trip was a summer holiday with her friends and daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Fergie is said to have received "daily deliveries" of Puligny-Montrachet and Laurent-Perrier champagne, reports the Mirror.

As she recounted the tale, Hilary also mentioned a taste developed "more recently", writing in The Times: "More recently, she developed a taste for the expensive rosé Whispering Angel.

"The vineyard's owner, Sacha Lichine, has a pair of angel wings on his desk sent to him by her, Beatrice and Eugenie, Ferguson's younger daughter, as a thank you and told me three years ago that they visit if they're staying with a friend nearby."

In further comments regarding the villa itself, Hilary claimed that Fergie was, at the time, "musing aloud" about purchasing the property for £1.7million, despite being "pursued back home for an unpaid electricity bill".

Sarah Ferguson with her daughters and ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (Image: UK Press via Getty Images)

This follows reports that Sarah's close circle claim she has plunged "into depths of despair" following Andrew's arrest at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk on his birthday on February 19.

Andrew, detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office, was subsequently released under investigation. King Charles responded by stating the "law must take its course", adding that police had his "full and wholehearted support and co-operation".

A source close to Sarah told the Daily Mail: "She feels deeply depressed and that the world is out to get her. She is very, very down. Some people, including Sarah herself, are worried for her mental health.

"[But] what she doesn't appear to feel is remorse for what has happened. She just wants this to all go away and allow her to get on with her life. Her head is in the sand."