Sarah Ferguson may be trying to secure a “nice pension” from the royal family in exchange for avoiding a bombshell tell-all interview about Jeffrey Epstein.

The former Duchess of York, 66, has widely been reported to be weighing up apparent offers for a big-money TV chat or memoir about the fallout from her and her ex-husband the former prince Andrew’s joint scandal over their ties to late paedophile Epstein.

Now, according to royal biographer Andrew Lownie – whose updated book on the House of York has reignited scrutiny surrounding the former Duke and Duchess of York – Ferguson could be trying to get a lifetime of financial security from the royals in exchange for her silence.

Lownie told Britain’s Daily Mirror the former duchess, often known as Fergie, could be looking for a royal payday.

“That may be what Fergie’s negotiating at the moment. Can she get a nice pension from them and not have to do an Oprah [Winfrey] interview?” he said.

Lownie also said Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s daughters – Princess Beatrice, 37, and Princess Eugenie, 36 – were a “schizophrenic” relationship with the royal family.

“The fact that they are still swanning around the Middle East, using their titles … it doesn’t send out the right signals if you want to work your passage back. It’s confusing,” Lownie said.

“I think it’s a very schizophrenic relationship at the moment with the royals and Beatrice and Eugenie.

“One minute they’re very publicly being told they’re not going to be invited to [races at Royal] Ascot, then they are going. You get the sense of distancing and I think there’s possibly two schools of thought here.

“There’s Camilla, William and Kate, who see the reputational damage and want to keep them at arm’s length, and then there’s Charles, who is a bit sentimental and feels obligated to be protective.”

The family in happier times – Princess Beatrice, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Sarah Ferguson and Princess Eugenie.

Lownie’s biography Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, caused controversy when it was first published in 2025. He has recently released an updated edition featuring fresh claims about the former Yorks.

They come as the King continues reshaping the monarchy amid ongoing debate over a smaller royal household, while the Prince and Princess of Wales are said to be increasingly conscious of reputational risk surrounding the Yorks.

The Epstein scandal has continued to follow Mountbatten-Windsor since his disastrous 2019 Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, which effectively ended his public royal duties.

Ferguson, who was once a senior royal alongside her husband, has remained publicly supportive of him despite years of controversy surrounding his friendship with Epstein.

Late last week, British police appealed for witnesses as they seek to broaden their investigation into potential offences by the King’s younger brother, including sexual misconduct.

Thames Valley Police have been investigating Mountbatten-Windsor over allegations of misconduct in public office. Last week, they said they were concerned the public believed the investigation covered only his time as a trade envoy, when misconduct in public office can apply to a much broader list of offences.

Police said they were looking into “a number of aspects of alleged misconduct” following the release of US documents.

Mountbatten-Windsor continues to deny any wrongdoing.

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-with AAP