Sarah Ferguson described Queen Elizabeth II as “more of a mother than a mother-in-law” – Sarah’s mother Susan Barrantes died in a car accident in Argentina in 1998

Sarah Ferguson has explained how Queen Elizabeth II was her “greatest mentor”.

The Duchess of York, 64, paid tribute to the late monarch in her podcast and described her as “more of a mother than a mother-in-law”. Sarah’s mum Susan Barrantes died in a car accident in Argentina, which the Duchess said left her in “so much pain”.

She found strength in her relationship with Queen Elizabeth II, although by this time, she was long divorced to her son Prince Andrew. They married in 1986 but they experienced difficulties by 1992 when they announced their seperation, and they were divorced by 1996.

Yet, Fergie has fond memories of her mother-in-law. Speaking in a recent instalment of the Tea with Twiggy podcast, Sarah said: “I think to myself that honestly my mother-in-law has been more of a mother to me than my mother.

“I absolutely think there is no greater mentor because, from a little girl to now, the consistency of Her Majesty has been a great honour, it’s a huge honour – makes me want to cry.”

Sarah and Andrew are pictured with the Queen at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1987

Duchess of York, who still lives with Prince Andrew in the crumbling Royal Lodge in Berkshire, felt “deeply, deeply insecure” when her mum died following the crash in Argentina. She had moved there to live with her husband; a professional polo player.

“Because I went through so much pain losing mum, I lost my way and I became deeply insecure. I kept asking everybody for advice. And I never trusted my own judgement of myself,” mother-of-two Sarah said.

“I have got my lovely ex-husband Andrew – he always believes in me and always did believe in me. But my greatest mentor – and I know this sounds so weird to say it – and a person who believes in me is the Queen and has never faltered.”

Despite the split, Sarah is known to have a good friendship with her ex-husband. Andrew’s duties as a naval officer required him to stay away from home for long periods and, by the early 1990s, this put strain on their marriage, it is said.

But the couple now share three grandchildren, the last of whom, Ernest Brooksbank, was born in May 2023. Speaking after Fergie became a grandmother for the first time, in February 2021, she said: “To see Eugenie and Jack being beautiful parents of little August, I’m really proud.”