Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former mother-in-law has revealed the reason she believes his marriage to her daughter Sarah Ferguson broke down. After the couple’s fairytale wedding in 1986, their marriage began to unravel, culminating in their separation in 1992, followed by divorce in 1996. According to Andrew Lownie’s book Entitled, the former Duchess’s mother, the late Susan Barrantes, told Italian magazine Gente, that if he had “character” they perhaps “wouldn’t have broken up”. 

“He’s a good-looking boy and has a heart of gold to the point where he would be without any money himself to help someone, but he just hasn’t got any character… absolutely none,” she said. “If only he had character, perhaps his marriage wouldn’t have broken up.”

Ms Barrantes, who passed away in 1998, shared her view years before Andrew and Sarah’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came to light. The pair are now expected to move out of their home early next year. While the date has not been officially announced for Andrew’s move to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, preparations are thought to be well under way.