A documentary airing this weekend will place Sarah Ferguson’s former aide Jane Andrews back in the spotlight ahead of a forthcoming television dramatisation of her 2000 murder conviction.
The programme, titled "Crime of Passion? The Trial of Jane Andrews", examines how the former Duchess of York’s personal dresser killed her boyfriend, Tom Cressman, at their Fulham flat in September 2000.
Ms Andrews, now 57, struck Mr Cressman with a cricket bat before fatally stabbing him with a kitchen knife as he lay in bed.
She was later convicted of murder at the Old Bailey in May 2001 and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 12 years.
The documentary revisits Ms Andrews’ time working for Ms Ferguson, during which she was closely involved with the royal household.
Bruce Houlder KC, who led the prosecution, says in the documentary: "Obviously, this was different because of its connection to the Duchess of York.
"She'd been responsible for looking after the Queen's grandchildren and had a very high-profile life."
Ms Andrews secured the role in 1988 after responding to an advertisement in The Lady magazine.
Jane Andrews worked as a dresser to Sarah Ferguson
| PAShe was 21 at the time and had recently studied at Grimsby College of Art. Her appointment coincided with the year Ms Ferguson gave birth to Princess Beatrice.
Working within the royal household brought Ms Andrews into close contact with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
According to contributors in the documentary, she became a trusted figure and confidante within the former duchess’s circle, with Ms Ferguson nicknaming her "Lady Jane".
However, Ms Andrews left the royal household in 1997 amid cost-cutting measures.
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Jane Andrews and Sarah Ferguson pictured in 1994
| PAThe documentary recounts how, three years later, Andrews’ relationship with Mr Cressman deteriorated following a holiday in Italy and the French Riviera.
She had expected a marriage proposal, but he told her their two-year relationship was over and that he would not marry her.
The court heard that on September 17, 2000, the couple argued at their Fulham flat. Mr Cressman telephoned the police and warned that "Somebody is going to get hurt," though officers did not attend.
Later that night, Ms Andrews struck him with a cricket bat and then plunged a knife into his chest.
After the killing, she fled the property and sent text messages to acquaintances asking about Mr Cressman’s whereabouts in an apparent attempt to establish an alibi.
Police launched a search and found her days later in Cornwall, where she had overdosed in her car. She survived and was arrested.
At trial, Ms Andrews claimed she had acted in self-defence, but the jury rejected her account.
Lucinda Ellery, who later gave evidence at the Old Bailey, tells the documentary: "She was very close to the princesses and missed them.
"She suffered from depression, and I think she took a lot of Prozac. She lost a lot of hair and weight."
Mr Cressman’s sister, Cathy Kerruish, also features in the Channel 5 programme, which airs this Saturday at 9pm, stating: "I think she almost thought of herself as a royal."
The renewed focus on the case comes ahead of The Lady, a forthcoming four-part ITV television dramatisation produced by the team behind The Crown, which will depict the events surrounding the murder.