Sarah Ferguson Shares Her Nickname For Queen Elizabeth, Speaks About Relationship With Late Monarch

Sarah Ferguson has nothing but praise for her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Duchess of York, who was married to the Queen's son Prince Andrew, reflected on her relationship with the late monarch and shared her sweet nickname for the Queen during the Henley Literary Festival earlier this week.

"It's been all my life that I've known the boss and there's no one like her," Ferguson said at the festival, according to The Telegraph. "I wouldn't do anything unless the boss gave me her blessing though, and still to this day, I think about that."

She was present at the event to discuss her debut novel, "Her Heart for a Compass," a coming-of-age story about her ancestor Lady Margaret Montagu Douglas Scott, who defied norms in Victorian England in favor of forging her own path forward.

When asked to name any woman who inspired her characters in the work of historical fiction, Ferguson didn't think twice before citing Queen Elizabeth II.

"There's no question about it, mine is my mother-in-law," the author said. "I've been the luckiest person alive. I have, there's no question."

She added that she immediately presented her book to the Queen, who died on Sept. 8 at the age of 96, after completing it.

"When we wrote the book, I gave it to the boss and I said, 'You don't need to read it,'" she recalled of her novel, published in August 2021. "But I think she was so proud that we did it. And that's just huge for me. She was just very, very special."

Ferguson, 62, was married to Queen Elizabeth's second son, Prince Andrew, from 1986 to 1996. The exes, who share daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, remained good friends even after their divorce.

The Duchess of York attended the Queen's state funeral and committal service on Sept. 19. She honored the late monarch by pinning on a swooping swallow brooch — a symbol of a safe journey popular in Victorian England.

Prince Andrew's ex-wife also paid tribute to Her Majesty on social media following the monarch's passing. She praised the Queen for her duty and service and described her as an "incredible mother-in-law."

"I am heartbroken by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen," Ferguson began her Instagram tribute. "She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy: the most fantastic example of duty and service and steadfastness, and a constant steadying presence as our head of state for more than 70 years. She has given her whole life selflessly to the people of the UK and the Commonwealth."

"To me, she was the most incredible mother-in-law and friend," she continued. "I will always be grateful to her for the generosity she showed me in remaining close to me even after my divorce. I will miss her more than words can express."