Fergie's grief at losing the woman who was 'more of a mother than her own': How the 'generous' Queen allowed the Duchess to remain living on Windsor Castle grounds after her divorce - even as Philip gave her the cold shoulder

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Sarah Ferguson was seen for the first time since the Queen's death today as she grieves the loss of her former mother-in-law - who she called 'more of a mother than her own.'

The Duchess of York, who is also known as Fergie, was seen today in mourning black as she stood alongside her former husband Prince Andrew, whom she split with in 1992 and divorced in 1996. 

She continued to live with the Duke in their home of the Royal Lodge in Windsor, despite sparking a raft of royal scandals over the years, and falling out with Prince Philip.

And while she had a frosty relationship with the Duke of Edinburgh, she has spoken frequently of her regard for her former mother-in-law, the monarch, whom she called her 'greatest mentor.'

Sarah previously compared their relationship to the one she had with her own mother Susan Barrantes, who passed away in September 1998, saying: 'I think to myself that honestly my mother-in-law has been more of a mother to me than my mother.' 

The Duchess of York's own mother earned the nickname 'the bolter' and caused a stir in British social circles when she eloped with Argentinian polo player Hector Barrantes in 1975, a year after her divorce from Fergie's father Sir Ronald Ferguson.

She was killed in a car crash in 1998 - the year after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Sarah Ferguson was seen for the first time since the Queen's death today as she supported her ex-husband Prince Andrew at Windsor Castle (pictured) 

Sarah, who is known as Fergie, has described the Queen as more of a mother to her than her own was while speaking on a podcast

The Duchess of York's mother earned the nickname 'the bolter' and caused a stir in British social circles when she eloped with Argentinian polo player Hector Barrantes in 1975, a year after her divorce from Fergie's father Sir Ronald Ferguson (pictured together) 

Fergie, who wore her red hair down and with a black hairband keeping her hair in black, was dressed in a full black outfit, with black tights and flats. 

She was seen walking alongside Prince Andrew, before the two stopped together and appeared to gaze out at floral tributes left to the late monarch. 

The Duchess appeared keen to remember the moment, as she could be seen taking photographs of the floral tributes on her phone. 

Despite splitting from Andrew in 1992 and then divorcing him in 1996, Fergie - the mother of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie - has been living with the Duke of York for the past 13 years.

In her last public appearance, the Duchess of York looked serious as she left Venice on Thursday, following a glitzy appearance at the film festival

However her relationship with some of those in the royal family has been strained over the years. 

She famously fell out with the Duke of Edinburgh after she was photographed having her toes sucked by her financial adviser in the south of France five months after splitting from Andrew. 

Philip had described the duchess as 'odd' and 'pointless', and would even ask for her to leave Balmoral, the royal estate in Scotland, during holidays before he arrived

The Duke of Edinburgh is also said to have prevented other Royals from bailing her out during periods of financial difficulties and cannot fathom her continuing closeness to ex-husband Prince Andrew.

Royal insider Gyles Brandreth said that while Her Majesty had tea with Sarah from time to time after her separation from Andrew - Philip was resolute in his desire never to see Fergie again.

Today, she was seen dressed in mourning black and standing alongside her former husband Prince Andrew at Windsor Castle

She was seen walking alongside Prince Andrew, before the two stopped together and appeared to gaze out at floral tributes left to the late monarch

Fergie was seen joining Prince Andrew to look at the floral tributes today outside Windsor Castle 

After looking down at the florals, the Duchess could be seen picking up several of the bouquets into her arms 

The Duchess appeared keen to remember the moment, as she could be seen taking photographs of the floral tributes on her phone 

However Sarah reportedly never attempted to build bridges with the Duke over the years, sending him a 'a handsome dinner service' on his 80th birthday - to which Philip responded with a note signed 'With love’ from ‘Pa’. 

In October 2018, the two were pictured together for the first time in years as they stood shoulder to shoulder at Princess Eugenie's wedding.  

The Duchess was said to be a ‘bag of nerves’ at meeting Philip. Despite their much-publicised feud, the mother of the bride had to stand behind the left shoulder of her former father-in-law for photographs in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle. 

She did not attend Prince Philip's funeral amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and didn't join her family at the memorial service earlier this year either.

While more than 1,500 guests packed into Westminster Abbey to remember the Duke of Edinburgh, including members of the Queen's extended royal family, one notable absentee was the Duchess. 

Sarah, who was married to the Queen's 'favourite son' Prince Andrew for 10 years, is believed to have been close to the monarch, Pictured, at the Braemar Highland Games in 1990

Despite tensions with Prince Philip, it was known that Sarah was significantly closer to the Queen, and she is believed to have been a shoulder of support following the Duke's death. 

She was particuarly  

Since Philip's death at the age of 99 last April, Fergie was allowed somewhat back into the fold - visiting the Queen's Scotland retreat Balmoral with her ex-husband in August last year.

The Duchess had been invited to the Deeside castle in previous years, but had stayed for just a few days until the Duke of Edinburgh joined the Queen.

Royal watchers believed that the Queen, who had a soft spot for her former daughter-in-law, was more receptive to the idea of Sarah returning to a more prominent role within the Firm after the Duke's death.

Last year, an insider told the Sun: 'They have been going on short walks around the gardens with the Queen and her corgis. 

And the Duchess was among the first to publicly pay tribute to her former mother-in-law the Queen following her death aged 96

'Sarah's very much in the fold now that the Duke of Edinburgh has gone. The Queen has always had a soft spot for Sarah and regards her as an excellent mother.'

And speaking on the Tea with Twiggy podcast as she promoted her Mills & Boon romance novel Her Heart For A Compass, the duchess paid tribute to the Queen for being 'modern, flexible and forgiving.'

Sarah compared their relationship to the one she had with her own mother Susan Barrantes, who passed away in September 1998, saying: 'I think to myself that honestly my mother-in-law has been more of a mother to me than my mother.'

She continued: 'My greatest mentor and... person who believes in me is the Queen - and has never faltered. 

'I absolutely admire the incredible way Her Majesty is so modern... and how flexible, and how understanding, and how forgiving and how generous.'

Earlier this week, she was pictured glued to her phone as she travelled from Venice airport  amid the news of the Queen's ailing health.

And she was among the first members of the royal family to pay tribute to the monarch after her death.

Despite having a close relationship with the Queen, Fergie has not been seen at any public memorial events for the Queen this week (pictured, the Duke of York, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice in Balmoral earlier this week) 

While Prince Andrew was photographed alongside their daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie looking at floral tributes to the Queen over the weekend, Fergie did not appear to join them (pictured) 

At the time, the Duke of York appeared to be supporting their daughters, who were both openly weeping (pictured) 

She praised the Queen as a 'fantastic example of duty and service and steadfastness.'

On a personal note, she thanked the Queen for being 'the most incredible mother-in-law and friend', adding: 'I will always be grateful to her for the generosity she showed me in remaining close to me even after my divorce.'

Following news of the Queen's death, Fergie wrote: 'I am heartbroken by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. 

'She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy: the most fantastic example of duty and service and steadfastness, and a constant steadying presence as our head of state for more than 70 years. 

'She has given her whole life selflessly to the people of the UK and the Commonwealth.

The family came together for a second time last night as Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, as well as their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank, received the Queen's coffin at Buckingham Palace (pictured, Edo and Beatrice) 

It is not believed Sarah was included in this poignant family moment, which saw the Yorks come together with other members of The Firm (pictured, Eugenie and Jack) 

'To me, she was the most incredible mother-in-law and friend. I will always be grateful to her for the generosity she showed me in remaining close to me even after my divorce. I will miss her more than words can express.'

In another sign of her closeness to the monarch, Prince Andrew and Sarah have said that they will look after two of the Queen’s beloved corgis following her death.

Muick and Sandy, who will now be adopted by the Queen's third son and Ms Ferguson, were gifted to the late Queen following the death of Prince Philip.

Earlier this week, the Duke of York's spokesperson confirmed that the two dogs will live at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, where the divorced couple reside.

It was believed the pair had been walking the dogs in the months leading to the Queen's death.

However, Sarah has not been joining other members at the royal family at any memorial events for the monarch.

The Duchess of York's children Beatrice and Eugenie have appeared emotional at ceremonies this week for their late grandmother (pictured, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Beatrice) 

While Prince Andrew was photographed alongside their daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie looking at floral tributes to the Queen over the weekend, Fergie did not appear to join them.

It is not known whether she was at the castle in Scotland with her family and was not included in the poignant moment, or whether she was not invited. 

At the time, the Duke of York appeared to be supporting their daughters, who were both openly weeping.

The sisters held hands as they tearily looked at floral tributes to the Queen, while Prince Andrew wrapped his arms around them in hugs and across their shoulders to support them.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie might not have been the royal grandchildren most frequently pictured with the Queen - but the sisters were still incredibly close with their 'Grannie'

Princess Beatrice and her younger sister Princess Eugenie appeared emotional throughout the occasion, and were pictured wiping tears away

Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice wiped away tears as they stood in front of the Queen's coffin in Westminster Hall

The family came together for a second as Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, as well as their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank, received the Queen's coffin at Buckingham Palace. 

It is not believed Sarah was included in this poignant family moment, which saw the Yorks come together with other members of The Firm - including Prince Harry and Meghan.

Meanwhile her children also paid their respects to the monarch publicly as they watched the funeral procession on Wednesday at Westminster Hall. 

Despite Fergie's absence at the events so far this week, it appears today she has remained close to the Duke of York and is providing ongoing support to her ex-husband. 

According to The Telegraph, the mother-of--two is thought to have been invited to the funeral on Monday.