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Sarah Ferguson says Prince Andrew is 'a wonderful man who has gone through enormous pain'

November 21st 2019 - Prince Andrew The Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson The Duchess of York relationship and reconciliation rumors continue to swirl amid the Prince Andrew / Jeffrey Epstein scandal. - File Photo by: zz/KGC-178/STAR MAX/IPx 2019 6/21/19 Sarah Ferguson The Duchess of York and Prince Andrew The Duke of York at Royal Ascot Day Four at Ascot Racecourse. (Ascot, Berkshire, England, UK)
Fergie has described her ex husband as a "wonderful man" following controversy around the Epstein scandal (PA)

Sarah Ferguson has described her ex-husband Prince Andrew as a “wonderful man” who has gone through "enormous pain".

The Duchess expressed support for Andrew, who was forced to quit royal duties after the reception to his BBC Newsnight interview, where he discussed his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew has strenuously denied claims made by Virginia Giuffre that he slept with her when she was 17, after she was trafficked by Epstein.

Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York (L) arrives for the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Bangkok on November 3, 2019, on the sidelines of the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)
Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York (L) arrives for the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Bangkok on November 3, 2019, on the sidelines of the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)

He denies all allegations and says he does not remember meeting her.

During an unearthed interview with Vogue Arabia - which is said to have been conducted before The Duke of York stepped away from public life - Fergie said the accusations against him were "nonsense".

ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York on day four of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2019 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York on day four of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2019 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

The Duchess said: “When I talk about Prince Andrew, I talk about family because the last six months have been hard on the girls and me.

“To see such a wonderful man go through such enormous pain… he is the best man I know. It’s just incredible what he has done for Britain and it’s all nonsense.”

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She also compared herself to Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and called her “fabulous”, adding: “I know what Meghan is going through.”

Fergie, who faced harsh criticism from the press after marrying into the royals and then divorcing Andrew, said she could sympathise with the Duchess of Sussex’s experience.

File photo dated 22/01/15 of the Duke of York, who is standing back from all of the organisations of which he is a patron after the backlash which followed an interview he gave to BBC's Newsnight programme.
File photo dated 22/01/15 of the Duke of York, who is standing back from all of the organisations of which he is a patron after the backlash which followed an interview he gave to BBC's Newsnight programme.

Sarah said: “It must be hard for Meghan and I can relate to her. I believe she is modern and fabulous. I tend not to give advice because it is taken out of context but I have been in Meghan’s shoes and I still am.