Sarah Ferguson has spoken extensively about her friendship with the late Princess Diana in a new television interview with Good Morning Britain, in which she recalls the overwhelming experience of attending Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding at St George’s Chapel earlier this year.
‘It was nerve-wracking and I was glad I didn’t trip over in those heels,’ she told hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid in the interview, which marked the launch of Street Child’s latest charity campaign, adding that she thought of Diana and her parents to get her through. ‘But the minute I started to walk I was thinking of Diana in my heart and my mum. My dad would say “the show goes on, get on with it,”’ she said.
In reference to the crowd’s response to her arrival, which was seen by many as the Duchess’s re-entry into royal life, she added: I wanted to cry at the crowd’s reaction. I looked around to see who they were doing it for and then someone said “Fergie” and it was the old Fergie back, it was very kind. I also felt so emotional because of the kind people that had been so lovely, plus Jack [Brooksbank, now Princess Eugenie’s husband] came towards me with open arms.’
‘I felt very happy for my friend Diana, who I love, and I felt honoured to be invited by Meghan and Harry. It was very kind of them, I can’t thank them enough for doing that,’ she said.
Speaking of her friendship with Diana, she told Piers and Susanna: 'I miss her, no one made me laugh better than her, she was hilarious.'
The allusions to the late Princess of Wales continued, with the Duchess of York asserting that ‘Diana would have loved every moment of it, she really would have been so proud’ of Harry and Meghan’s big day, and that she’d have been a big fan of her daughters-in-law and their charitable works, too.
Look back at some of Princess Diana's most iconic looks in the gallery below...
Princess Diana Iconic Looks
princess-diana-iconic-looks
The Princess donned 90's athleisure in 1995 as she left Chelsea Harbour Club in London.
princess-diana-iconic-looks
Princess Diana wore a cold-shoulder dress by Christina Stambolian to the Serpentine. The dress was infamously named the 'Revenge Dress' as it was the day it was revealed Prince Charles was having an affair with Camilla.
princess-diana-iconic-looks
Diana donned tartan to a charity project in 1990.
princess-diana-iconic-looks
The Princess of Wales wore a beret by John Boyd and a coatdress by Arabella Polle when visiting Wales in November 1982.
princess-diana-iconic-looks
Every inch the Princess, Diana wore sapphire jewels given to her by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia on a visit to Brisbane in 1983.
princess-diana-iconic-looks
Diana wore an 80s turtleneck and tartan suit when attending an event in Portsmouth in 1988.
princess-diana-iconic-looks
Diana wore a blue dress by Yuki and ever the sartorial Queen, adapted her choker to be a hair accessory. The look was for a dinner hosted by Emperor Hirohito in Japan.
princess-diana-iconic-looks
Princess Diana wore a yellow jumpsuit when holidaying in Majorca in 1987.
princess-diana-iconic-looks
Diana wore red on a visit to The Royal School for the Blind on December 4, 1984 in Liverpool.
princess-diana-iconic-looks
The princess wore a Catherine Walker ensemble during an official visit to Dubai on March 17, 1989.
‘She had this enormous compassion and I honestly think she would be so proud of the wonderful Meghan and Catherine as well. She’d want to embrace them and say “you’re doing so well.”’
‘Even before they got married, Diana would have been literally saying “I can’t believe these boys have done so well.” They are such a credit to her.'