Sarah Ferguson has been staying at a £2,000-per-night pine-clad chalet in a secluded Austrian resort near the exclusive Mayrlife health clinic, following her departure from Royal Lodge in Windsor at the start of February.
The former Duchess of York, who has been stripped of her royal title, privileges, and position alongside Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been keeping a low profile in the tranquil location favoured by the wealthy and famous for its privacy.
This week, photographers captured her stepping out of a black Mercedes people-carrier with tinted windows at the facility.
The discovery put an end to months of speculation about her whereabouts since she left Britain.
"I am not saying she is happy about the situation she is in; in fact, she is deeply troubled," one source revealed. "Anyone who has been stripped of all her dignity would recognise that."
Sarah Ferguson has been staying at a £2,000-per-night pine-clad chalet in a secluded Austrian resort near the exclusive Mayrlife health clinic, following her departure from Royal Lodge in Windsor at the start of February.
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Ms Ferguson's choice of the Austrian ski village was not entirely surprising, as she had previously visited the Mayrlife resort on Lake Altaussee two years ago following her malignant melanoma diagnosis, when a two-week recuperative stay cost up to £6,700.
"The area is absolutely beautiful, and it's very quiet most of the time, so it's the perfect place for a high-profile figure such as her to lie low," a friend explained.
She is believed to have been occupying a two-bedroom woodland chalet designed for maximum privacy, featuring a spacious loft-style living area, private terrace with lake views, and its own spa facilities, including sauna and steam bath.
"She is going through a process, taking time out to recalibrate," one source said. "Everything has gone: title, home, purpose, the lot."
Friends maintain she will endure, describing her as "indestructible".
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A close friend confirmed: "She has been in the same place all the time, lying low and trying to work out her next move."
One of Ferguson's circle said: “Sarah's still got friends looking out for her and some of them have the money to help her to continue to hide out.
“But she can't do that forever. This scandal is going to go on for years. Sooner or later she's going to have to face the music.'"
Friends maintain she will endure, describing her as "indestructible".
The 66-year-old former Duchess of York has endured significant backlash over her previous connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
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The 66-year-old former Duchess of York has endured significant backlash over her previous connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
Sarah Ferguson appeared to describe Epstein, a convicted sex offender, as her "supreme friend" and "the brother I have always wished for” in emails released in the Epstein files.
Ms Ferguson said in 2011 regarding her links to Jeffrey Epstein: "I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf.
"I am just so contrite I cannot say. Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again."
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