Though she divorced Prince Andrew nearly 20 years ago, the Duchess of York, known as Fergie, has stressed she will support Prince Andrew going forward amid the Chinese spy row

Sarah Ferguson insists she continue to support Prince Andrew in his scandal around his links to an alleged Chinese spy.

Fergie, 65, said she “won’t let Andrew down” as her ex-husband faces scrutiny over his relationship with the Chinese businessman, known as H6, who has been banned from the UK over spying concerns.

“I won’t let him down. He supports me as much as I support him. He’s supported me through thick and thin, not just marriage or divorce,” the Duchess of York, who divorced Andrew in 1996, said in a tell-all interview published by The Sunday Times yesterday.

The chat also gave a glimpse into Sarah’s relationships with the Royal Family as well as the mum’s battle with cancer. It is believed the interview was conducted before the China revelations emerged.

The Duchess of York, who shares two daughters with Andrew, added: “I was totally and utterly in love with Andrew. I would do it all over again, 100 per cent. He’s the best, a great man with a great heart, and kind. Our wedding was the best day of my life. But I gave up my anonymity that day. I was able to because love conquers all. It’s still with us today.”

Prince Andrew, pictured with his brother King Charles, is under scrutiny over his links with a Chinese businessman ( 
Image:
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The Duke of York, 64, said he “ceased all contact” with the accused businessman when concerns were first raised about him in a statement from his office on Friday. However, he has now been ordered to “uninvite himself” from a pre-Christmas bash with The Firm on Thursday, it is understood.

His attendance would lead to fresh embarrassment over the scandal of his Chinese spy pal, insiders added. One said: “He is under pressure to step away.”

In her interview, Sarah also spoke about her cancer journey. In July 2023, the Duchess of York went under the knife for an eight-hour mastectomy – but during the follow-up surgery, dermatologists had to remove several moles, finding one to be malignant melanoma. Sarah and Jane’s father died of melanoma, and the duchess said the diagnosis was scary.

Fergie, a novelist and memoirist, continued: “I was sure I was going to die, then I looked up ‘mastectomy’ and faced it… When I got that diagnosis on New Year’s Eve 2023, I nearly fainted.”

In a heartfelt plea, she urged people not to wait to be themselves. Gran-of-three Sarah continued: “Otherwise I’ve got to live life, I’m lucky, it’s (cancer) freed me from the shackles of my heart. Before, I didn’t think it was okay to be myself. Don’t wait to get cancer to free yourself.”