Sarah Ferguson has been "really hit" by the situation surrounding her and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, but the royal still "thinks she can bounce back".
The former Duchess of York has come under scrutiny following the release of the Epstein files by the US Department of Justice, with Ms Ferguson appearing to be named numerous times.
An insider told People that the former duchess "always thinks she can bounce back", but warned that the scale of "this isn't something that can blow over".
Ms Ferguson has not been seen since September 2025, when she was pictured being driven out of Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Ms Ferguson has been 'really hit' by the situation surrounding herself and her ex-husband | PAA friend of Ms Ferguson explained that "this has really hit her", with the duchess taking herself off to Switzerland following her last public appearance at her granddaughter Athena's Christening at St James's Palace on December 12.
The former duchess is reported to have been spending a large amount of her time at the £13,000-a-day Paracelsus Recovery Clinic in Zurich, Switzerland.
"Sarah left for Zurich just after Christmas, and stayed until the end of January," a Swiss source told the Daily Mail, who uncovered the details.
The source continued: "She always feels at home at Paracelsus, and knows she'll get love and attention there, as well as expert health treatment when she's feeling at her most vulnerable."
Ms Ferguson is understood to have 'left for Zurich just after Christmas'
| REUTERSLATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Ms Ferguson has worked with the organisation before, posting a photo with the clinic's founder about the importance of looking after your mental health.
Another friend in Switzerland said the 66-year-old has been "absolutely crushed" by the alleged email exchanges between the former duchess and Epstein.
"Sarah has built up a strong relationship with Paracelsus, so it was the obvious place for her to get away from everything," the friend told the Daily Mail.
Ms Ferguson is understood to have spent time in the French Alps and the United Arab Emirates following the lengthy stay at the clinic.
Ms Ferguson is understood to have spent time in the French Alps and the United Arab Emirates
| GETTYThe former Duchess of York previously discussed the clinic's work after spending time there in June 2025.
According to a friend of the 66-year-old, the former duchess is said to be "in the depths of despair".
The friend explained: "She feels deeply depressed and that the world is out to get her. She is very, very down. Some people, including Sarah herself, are worried for her mental health.
"[But] what she doesn't appear to feel is remorse for what has happened. She just wants this to all go away and allow her to get on with her life. Her head is in the sand."
According to a friend of the 66-year-old, the former duchess is said to be 'in the depths of despair'
| PAMs Ferguson has stated in the past her regret with being associated with Epstein, saying: "I would never have anything to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again. I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children. It was a gigantic error of judgment."
Appearing in the Epstein files does not suggest any evidence of wrongdoing or misconduct.
GB News has contacted Sarah Ferguson and Paracelsus Recover in Zurich for comment.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter