The programme explores the Duchess of York’s life within The Firm – and the reactions of its senior members to the photographs of her and Texan millionaire John Bryan.
After a break in the South of France with financial manager John and her children, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, Fergie was reportedly with the other royals at Balmoral when they saw the pictures in the morning’s papers.
Photos showed Sarah lying topless on a sunbed with John holding her foot, appearing to put her toes in his mouth.
Expert Emily Andrews says in the documentary: “The morning’s newspapers were all laid out on a side table in the breakfast room in Balmoral and [they] were filled with the pictures of Sarah Ferguson.”
Tom Quinn, author, says: “[John] claims, as if it makes any difference, that he was kissing her toes. It’s impossible to imagine the shock and horror, even for someone as confident as Sarah.
“Apparently Prince Philip came into the breakfast room, picked up one of the papers and just threw it in front of her and walked out.
“Famously, Sarah sent flowers to Princess Margaret, who sent them back with a note saying, ‘You’re an absolute disgrace to the family’.
TV presenter Jennie Bond says in When Fergie Met The Monarchy: “She knew she had to face her mother-in-law. And the Queen was absolutely furious, apparently.”
Sarah left Balmoral after that morning with her daughters.
And the Royal Family subsequently let her father go as Prince Charles’ polo manager, a role had held for 20 years.
Writer Ingrid Seward says: “After the break-up of the marriage, Prince Philip is absolutely incandescent with rage with her. Because he feels that she’s let down the monarchy, which he has spent his entire life supporting – i.e. the Queen.”
However, later in the programme it speculates that Philip’s attitude to Fergie may have softened in more recent years.
He reportedly always refused to be in the same room as her. However, they sat not far from each other at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in 2018.