Sarah Ferguson walks hand in hand with daughter Beatrice at Royal Ascot in first appearance since revealing she took 'sanctuary' at a Swiss facility
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has made her first public appearance since revealing she underwent treatment at an exclusive Swiss facility - stepping out in style at Royal Ascot 's opening day.
The 65-year-old looked elegant in a coordinated navy blazer and skirt with lace detailing, paired with a cream clutch.
Smiling warmly for the cameras, she was joined by daughter Princess Beatrice, 36, and fellow royal Zara Tindall.
Royal Ascot, one of the most prestigious events in the British racing calendar, welcomed crowds for its opening day in a celebration of sport, tradition and fashion - providing the perfect setting for Fergie's return to public life.
Fergie's outing comes just after she spoke candidly about her decision to seek 'sanctuary' at a recovery centre in Switzerland - a high-end clinic known for offering 'bespoke, cutting-edge treatment' for people grappling with mental health and addiction challenges.
'I've always known there were issues I needed to address, stemming from my childhood and my time in the public eye,' she said, writing for the Telegraph.
'Then I was diagnosed with cancer, twice in the same year - something that would be challenging for anyone in terms of mental as well as physical health.'
During her time at the clinic, she said she engaged in deep conversations about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), delving into the long-term mental health impact of her early experiences and public scrutiny.
She opened up about 'the profound scars' left by her childhood, which contributed to feelings of low self-worth and disordered eating.
The Duchess said she struggled with a negative relationship with food, shaped in part by harsh treatment and cruel labels she endured in the press.
Fergie was infamously mocked in the 1980s, branded 'Fat Fergie' and the 'Duchess of Pork' during her first pregnancy when she gained weight.
She also reflected on the toll of more recent online abuse, calling social media a 'cesspit' of negativity.
Today the Duchess appeared confident and composed as she made her Royal Ascot appearance, her signature warmth and humour firmly intact.
Her return to the royal fold at such a high-profile event signals a personal milestone after a year marked by both physical illness and emotional healing.
The mother-of-two continues to speak openly about mental health and the lasting effects of public life, breaking long-held taboos in royal circles.
And Fergie maintains a cherished connection with her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, with the trio referring to themselves as the 'tripod'.
During a recent interview for Cressida Bonas's podcast, Lessons From Our Mothers, Princess Eugenie revealed the most important life given to her by her mother.
The youngest of Prince Andrew's brood said learning to harness one's inner strength was one of the most important lessons she had gleaned from her mother.
Both appeared on the podcast last month, joined by hosts Cressida and Isabella Branson, to reflect on what thy had learned from Sarah over the years.
Revealing the most important takeaway from her upbringing, Eugenie said: 'I think for me, it's the fire inside, you know, the strength inside of you. And how to bring that out, and to pull it in when you most need it'.
The sisters emphasised the importance of 'collaborating' with one another to source solutions, something else they had picked up from Sarah, affectionately known as Fergie.
'The forced collaboration, you're slightly annoyed about because she's pushing on a bit of a nerve, but the forced collaboration and that joy of the making up at the end was a big part of what she instilled in us,' Beatrice said.
'This sense that it's OK to feel, it's OK to push on those emotions, but you have to figure out what the resolution looks like as well. So she was very resolution-driven,' the royal added.
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