The duke and duchess with Beatrice and Eugenie
While the rulebook of royal convention has
been seriously tested in recent years, when it
comes to the latest rumour there is certainly
no protocol.
The Duke of York has floated the idea that he
and the Duchess of York might remarry.
The suggestion came in an interview with
Tatler magazine, in which the Duke of York
spoke frankly about his marriage split which
lead to divorce four years ago.
Asked about the possibility that he might re-tie
the knot, Andrew said "I don't rule remarriage
out and I certainly don't rule it in."
His comments are seen
as significant because,
although the idea of
remarriage has been
mooted several times
before, this is the first
time Andrew has
spoken publicly about
it.
Sarah voiced a similar
belief in the same
interview. "If it should
happen, great. It is not
in nor is it ruled out."
Such talk might be easily dismissed as a mere
publicity stunt were it not for the fact Andrew
and Sarah have lived under the same roof for
the past three years.
The duchess moved back to the couple's
married home, in Sunningdale, Berkshire, for
the sake of daughters, Beatrice, 11, and
Eugenie, 10. The duchess has called the
arrangement "co-parenting".
But they have made it
clear they still greatly
enjoy each other's
company and, although
they inhabit different
quarters - the duchess
is on the ground floor while the duke lives
above her - commentators say they seem
happier than many married couples.
Their aim has been to try and deliver as stable
and normal an upbringing for the princesses, as
possible.
Indeed, at times it sounds more like a real-life
portrayal of the television comedy, The Royle
Family, than the Royal Family.
Asked in an interview
last year whether she
and the Andrew sit in
the pyjamas watching
TV together, Sarah
replied: "Oh,
absolutely, except we
don't wear jimjams; we
wear track suits."
There is a formal living
room at Sunninghill, but
family life seems to be
centred beyond that in
the informal heart of the house, where Beanie
Babies scatter the floor and pictures of the
princesses on holiday grace a relaxed family
room.
Sarah has described herself and Andrew as
"the happiest divorced couple in the world".
Despite the cosy arrangement, the pair clearly
have their individual lives. The duke works as a
commander at the Naval Staff Directorate - a
job that earns him £45,000 on top of his civil
list income of about £300,000.
Television work
The duchess, who was famously burdened by
debts after her divorce, is said to be in the
black and juggles several contracts, such as
those with Weight Watchers, with whom she is
a representative, and the American TV
network NBC, as a special correspondent.
On quieter days, Sarah likes to work out on an
exercise bike while watching television.
Since their split the
duke has been linked
with a number of
women, including the
former model Caprice
and Robert Maxwell's
daughter Ghislaine.
In an interview last
year, the duchess said
she temporarily moved
out for the night when
he wished to entertain
a girlfriend.
Yet they both make time, mostly at the
weekend, to spend with the children. On
occasion they are said to nip out to the local
pub for a quiet supper.
Yet inevitably, there are difficulties in the
relationship, especially over Christmas when
they decamp to Sandringham to join the rest
of the Royal Family.
Although the duchess speaks fondly of her
relationship with the Queen and Queen Mother,
relations with the Duke of Edinburgh are icy.
So while her ex-husband and the princesses
gather at the main house for seasonal
celebrations, the duchess is banished to a
cottage in the grounds where she tends to
watch black and white movies on television.
~*~
Duchess's friend rejects remarriage
report(Electronic Telegraph)
By Bruce Johnston in Rome
THE Duchess of York's friend, Count Gaddo della Gherardesca, yesterday
rejected the idea that she might remarry the Duke, saying that he would have
"known about it before anyone else".
Count Gaddo dismissed an interview in the Tatler, in which the Duke was said
to have suggested that he and the Duchess could remarry, as "empty
journalistic speculation".
Italy's press has romantically linked him and the Duchess since she first stayed
on his estate near Livorno in mid-1997. The 50-year-old Count told The
Daily Telegraph yesterday: "The Duchess and I are very close. Sarah spent
last weekend in Tuscany with me. She confides everything in me and she told
me nothing of any of this. As far as I am concerned this is the proof of what is
already being said in London circles, namely that there is nothing in this story."
On Thursday, the Duke of York was quoted as saying: "I don't rule
remarriage out and I certainly don't rule it in." He added that he was
determined that he and the Duchess would never again "make a nonsense" of
their friendship. In the same interview, the Duchess said: "There has been no
discussion on remarriage or reconciliation or any such word."
In the past she has said that their decision to resume living together at their
Sunninghill home despite their divorce had been largely based on financial
considerations.
~*~
Town to lose its only bobby to Prince's
estate(Electronic Telegraph)
By Sean O'Neill
A RURAL town's police station is being closed down and its only officer
transferred to royal protection duties at the Prince of Wales's Highgrove
estate.
The station in Minchinhampton, Glos, which has a population of 5,000
people, will shut its doors for the last time on June 1. Pc Jim Gregory, 46,
who has been the town's community constable for more than 13 years, is
being assigned to the Royal Household Protection Group. He sought a
transfer after being told that the station was to be closed.
Gloucestershire police said it had been told by the Audit Commission and the
Home Office that it had too many rural stations. A force spokesman said:
"The Government has directed police forces to reduce the number of
operational stations to a more consistent nationwide level."
But Steve Glanfield, a Conservative district councillor, said: "I cannot see how
it improves rural policing. The perception of local people will be that the
prospect of catching burglars and other criminals diminishes without a
policeman on the spot."
June Jones, a local resident, said the nearest police presence was now at
nearby Gatcombe Park, the home of the Princess Royal. She said: "Why
should the Royal Family have our police officers? There is a long-standing
joke here that if you want a policeman, phone Gatcombe. Now it is even
more true. People will know this is a free place to commit crime."
Simon Brown, chairman of the parish council, said: "A lot of things are being
centralised and I think the days of the village policeman are virtually over."
Insp Cheryl Thomas said the town would be policed from Nailsworth station
which would receive an additional officer. She said: "The residents of
Minchinhampton will continue to receive the same level of policing
commitment as they do now."
St James's Palace said it could not discuss security issues at Highgrove.