The question haunting the most unusual royal romance in modern history has raised its head again: will Prince Andrew and his ex-wife remarry?
It has been asked on and off for at least a decade, thanks to their unusual joint living arrangements and countless cryptic declarations of affection. Until recently, it has always faced the seemingly insurmountable hurdles of the Duke’s parents, the late Queen and Prince Philip who were opposed – vehemently, in the latter’s case – to the official return of Fergie.
Now, nearly 30 years after Prince Andrew and the Duchess divorced, the path to the altar finally seems clear.
“Should the Duke and Duchess of York finally cease dithering and confirm their decision to remarry, the King has made it easier for them,” a tabloid diary column has reported.
“A source whispers that Charles has indicated to Andrew and Fergie that he would give his blessing.”
Technically the King’s permission is not required, the Duke of York having been ousted from the line of succession by the small Sussex children. But, it is claimed, it remains “important” to the Duke to have his family’s support, when he has little else nowadays. The proposed venue would be the chapel of All Saints in Windsor, where Princess Beatrice married in lockdown.
The King, one source said, would only give his blessing to a marriage if he had been asked directly.
Some have argued that, after several years blighted by scandal, bad choices and bad luck, a fresh start would boost their public standing.
Michael Cole, a former BBC royal correspondent, has written of Andrew: “It would be the most significant step towards restoring his reputation and finding a way back to public life, which he desperately wants.”
One royal aide insists that nothing had changed in the last 28 years on the marriage front, pointing to a comment made by the Duchess when asked directly about the possibility by the Telegraph three years ago. “All I can say is that we’re happy with the way we are right now,” she said.
Those close to the happily divorced couple say they have never seen any hint of romance between the pair, despite their unusual living arrangement. “They support each other but very much enjoy their independence,” one said.
“The Duchess has vehemently denied that she wants to re-enter the Firm and has said she would not consider remarrying.”
Phil Dampier, a royal commentator whose first job was reporting on the 1986 royal wedding, said: “I would never say never, but I think it’s extremely unlikely that the Duke and Duchess of York will ever remarry.
“They are best friends and he will undoubtedly have been helping her after her recent illness. She has been very supportive to him through his recent troubles.
“But I don’t think they are romantically involved, that ship sailed 30 years ago.”
Will they? Should they? Do they even want to?
No one at the palace seems to be buying a new hat yet.
