Sarah Ferguson has praised Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for making their own "brave" decision to step back from the royal duties and move to the United States to start a new life.
Prince Andrew's ex-wife dubbed the Sussexes as "trail blazers" during an interview on Australian TV.
When asked by breakfast TV host Matt Shirvington if she thought the Duke and Duchess had struggled to make the transition, Fergie replied: "The thing is – and I’m really adamant about this – is that anyone that is out there really trailblazing for their own beliefs, and it doesn’t matter where you’re from or who you are, you trailblaze for what you believe … That’s very brave.
"I would never be one to make a comment on any other member of the Royal Family or anybody who does that.
"I just find anyone that stands very tall about their own beliefs is very brave, whoever it is."
Harry and Meghan announced in January 2020 that they would step down as senior working royals and become financially independent but insisted they would still remain loyal to Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The Duke and Duchess initially moved to Canada before settling down in Montecito, California where they live with their two children, Prince Archie Harrison and Princess Lilibet Diana.
However, during an interview with the Independent, Sarah said that royals who decided to leave the Firm cannot expect to have it both ways.
Fergie, who is no longer in the royal family after she divorced her ex-husband Prince Andrew in 1991, said: "Well, you can’t have it both ways.
"You can’t sit on the fence and keep one foot in and one foot out. You’re either in or out.
“But then don’t cry about not being invited to weddings. You chose to leave, now go and live it – and be it.”
Despite her split from the Duke of York over 30 years ago, the children's book author still lives with him in Royal Lodge in Windsor when she is in the UK.
Reports have been circulating for quite some time about Andrew disobeying King Charles' orders as he 'refuses to leave' the 30-room mansion.
It was previously reported that the monarch would like his younger brother to leave the property and relocate to Frogmore Cottage instead in an attempt to crack down on royal budgets, with Andrew's annual maintenance loan having already been slashed this year.
However, it's alleged that the Duke of York is continuing to deny the King's requests and there's nothing Charles can do about it as Andrew apparently signed a 75-year lease on the property which is in his name.
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