As Sarah, Duchess of Yorks its on a tree trunk surrounded by wintry fallen leaves, there is suddenly the sound of scampering paws on a nearby pathway. Running towards her are two of perhaps the most famous dogs in the world: corgis Sandy and Muick, who belonged to the Queen until her death and have since made their home with Sarah and her former husband the Duke of York.
As the freshly groomed pooches delightedly jump up for cuddles and then settle in beside her as she poses for HELLO!’s cameras, the 63-year-old author and charity campaigner couldn’t look happier. “The corgis are very nice and very polite and well trained. I love everything about them,” she tells us.
But this idyllic scene, which takes place in the stunning surrounds of luxury Berkshire hotel Coworth Park, belies the fact that Sarah has been the subject of frenzied newspaper speculation about her personal life.
On the day we meet, we discuss headlines suggesting that the King could cut Prince Andrew’s annual grant, meaning that he could be forced to move out of his Windsor home, Royal Lodge – where Sarah also lives. A few days later, further reports speculated that Frogmore Cottage, the UK home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, had been offered to Andrew by the King.
“This is really a matter for the Duke and His Majesty,” Sarah tells us, firmly.
Dealing with what she considers to be the myth that she isn’t financially independent, she says: “All I will say is that for many years now – it started with Budgie the Little Helicopter [her children’s book, published in 1989] – I’ve really pushed to look after my girls and to contribute to York family life.”
‘I live for the moment. I have got to achieve a lot. I haven’t got
