Prince Andrew and his former wife Sarah Ferguson, despite their divorce, continue to share a residence at the Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate. However, the atmosphere might be slightly chilly this week after the Duchess of York, 64, seemingly overlooked him in a heartfelt message to their daughter.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Princess Beatrice is expecting her second child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. This announcement brought a glimmer of happiness to the York family, who have had a challenging year.
In addition to Andrew’s ongoing embarrassment over his association with Jeffrey Epstein, he has been embroiled in a continuous dispute with King Charles regarding the future of the Royal Lodge. Fergie received the heart-breaking news that she has skin cancer, while Beatrice, 36, was reportedly deeply affected by the tragic death of her ex-boyfriend Paulo Liuzzo.
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However, any aspirations the Duke of York, 64, may have had that the baby news would foster a sense of unity within the family appear to have been thwarted when his ex-wife shared a touching post on social media. Despite their amicable relationship, the message conspicuously omitted any reference to the soon-to-be grandfather, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
She gushed, “Words can’t quite express the joy and excitement I feel as you and Endo prepare to welcome another precious addition to your beautiful family. Becoming a grant again fills my heart with so much happiness and gratitude. Watching you grow as a mother has been one of the greatest privileges of my life and now to see your family blossom further is an absolute blessing.
“Our family is growing and so too is the love that surrounds us. I cannot wait to meet this little one and to share in all the wonderful memories we will make together.”
The doting GiGi/Mum shared her enthusiasm on social media alongside a snapshot with Beatrice and young Sienna, three, conspicuously without the grandfather in frame.
Fergie’s history of excluding Andrew in her familial mentions on social media isn’t new, she notably omitted him in a Father’s Day post, instead celebrating Mr Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank, Princess Eugenie’s spouse and father to her two children.