Sarah Ferguson, once a member of the royal family as former spouse of Prince Andrew, shed light on her last conversation with Queen Elizabeth II. The iconic Queen, who reigned for 70 years, died in Balmoral, Scotland, on September 8, 2022 at 96.

On August 30, in an episode of her podcast, “Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah,” Ferguson disclosed the Queen’s heartfelt counsel: “Just be yourself, Sarah.”

The 63-year-old Duchess, reflecting on her recent fight against breast cancer, spoke about how the experience emphasized the importance of authenticity in her life. Ferguson elaborated on the Queen’s advice, stating, “She just got annoyed when I wasn’t being myself. Now, I truly embrace who I am.”

The exact timeline of this interaction with the Queen is not clear, but it’s known that the monarch felt well and was in high spirits days before her passing.

Sarah Ferguson’s journey with the royal family has seen its share of ups and downs. Married to Prince Andrew from 1986 to 1996, they had two children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. The post-divorce years witnessed strained relations between Ferguson and the royal family. However, there seemed to be a thaw in recent years, although she was notably missing from key ceremonies, such as King Charles’ coronation.

This year posed additional challenges for Ferguson, as she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in June and later had a mastectomy. Her spokesperson has confirmed that she’s under meticulous medical supervision and carries a hopeful outlook regarding her health.