Fergie and Andrew - TIME TO GO PUBLIC?

Woman’s royal insider Duncan Larcombe says Sarah Ferguson will be welcomed back into the family following the Duke of Edinburgh’s death

- Duncan Larcombe

The Duchess of York’s 30 years as outcast may finally be ending, following the death of Prince Philip.

Sources close to Prince Andrew say he has been longing for the day when his ex-wife Sarah is no longer frozen out of the Royal family.

They said his father’s death last month had ‘removed the final obstacle’ to her taking a more active role at Andrew’s side, and revealed that they have been living as husband and wife now for more than a year, with – as Woman revealed – talks of them getting hitched again.

Back in the family?

Neither Andrew or Fergie have held down serious relationships since their divorce and when, in 2010, Fergie was caught by a newspaper sting, seemingly selling access to the royals for cash, Prince Andrew stood by her.

For her part, Fergie has supported her ex throughout the row over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Andrew’s disastrous TV interview on the subject, which forced the Queen to effectively sack her own son from royal duties.

But, addressing the accusations made against Andrew, Fergie said, ‘The great news is that Andrew and I and the girls are the best family unit there ever is. I know him extremely, extremely well. Buckingham Palace put out a denial two weeks ago or a week ago, and we stand by that denial.’

My palace source tells me, ‘The duke and duchess have an unconventional but surprisingly strong relationship, and one which Prince Philip refused to acknowledge.’