Sarah Ferguson’s ‘Toe-Sucking’ Scandal Was Set Up, Says Royal Biographer

Sarah Ferguson’s toe-sucking scandal was allegedly set up, according to royal biographer Allan Starkie.

Several years ago, Ferguson was vacationing in St. Tropez with John Bryan. The mom of two was in her bikini while Bryan appeared to be sucking her toe. Ferguson previously said that she was set up by those who were out to get her, but Starkie said that it’s actually Prince Andrew’s ex-wife that wanted the photo to be released.

During a 1997 interview, Starkie said in “Fergie: The Downfall of the Duchess” (via Express), “When she stepped off the private plane, she was photographed walking down the steps of the airplane with a scarf and sunglasses on. That photograph appeared in the local newspaper the next morning. She was followed in the car by a motorcyclist all the way to the villa they rented and then there was a van parked in the side of the road with one-way mirrors, photographing her as she drove along. Three tip-offs, how much more information did she need?”

Starkie said that he spoke with Ferguson years ago and asked her to admit to him that she really wanted to get caught in those moments. After all, she appeared to have made too many mistakes.

Years after Ferguson’s toe-sucking scandal, she and Prince Andrew announced their divorce to the public. But the ex-couple still remains to be friends at the moment. They are parents to Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. The latter will tie the knot on Oct. 12.

Richard Eden, a journalist for Daily Mail, revealed that Ferguson will be reuniting with all the members of the royal family at Princess Eugenie’s nuptials including Prince Philip. The Duke of Edinburgh reportedly despised Ferguson following the release of the controversial photo.

“I hear that Prince Philip has agreed to pose in the wedding snaps alongside Eugenie’s mother, Sarah, Duchess of York. It will be the first time that the pair has been pictured together in 26 years,” Eden wrote.