Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, made a surprise appearance at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday evening, joining King Charles at a reception celebrating cancer organisations.
The 65-year-old's attendance marked a rare inclusion at an official royal engagement since her divorce from Prince Andrew in 1996.
Fergie joined His Majesty, Queen Camilla and the Duchess of Gloucester to welcome fellow cancer survivors and those who support them.
The unexpected appearance came during the Community Based Cancer Support Reception at the Palace.
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Sarah's appearance comes after her own challenging health journey, having been diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2023, which required a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
In early 2024, she faced another diagnosis of malignant melanoma, making her attendance at the cancer charity event particularly poignant.
The Duchess revealed she had been "kindly invited" to the reception by King Charles.
Her presence alongside her former brother-in-law demonstrated solidarity in their shared experiences with cancer.
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The Duchess has a long history of supporting cancer charities, having worked with the Teenage Cancer Trust for 35 years.
She was named a patron of the organisation in 1990 and worked with the American Cancer Society throughout the 2000s.
Last year, Fergie became a patron of Prevent Breast Cancer, further cementing her dedication to the cause.
Just last week, she visited the Teenage Cancer Trust at University College Hospital with her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Princess Beatrice, Sarah Ferguson and Princess Eugenie stepping out for a royal engagement last week
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"It's incredibly important to me to try and amplify the voices and experiences of people with cancer," she said.
Sarah's appearance follows her recent inclusion at the Royal Family's Easter Sunday celebrations at Windsor Castle on April 20.
In what was described as a "shock move", she joined Prince Andrew, her daughters, and senior royals, including King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The occasion featured a touching moment when Fergie embraced her former sister-in-law, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. The two women were seen briefly holding hands and chatting animatedly before Sophie wrapped an arm around Fergie.
Sarah Ferguson has revealed that receiving a cancer diagnosis felt 'like a death sentence' as she backs a campaign to improve teenage cancer care
GettySarah's appearance at Buckingham Palace represents a significant moment in her relationship with the Royal Family since her divorce.
Her presence reflects both her personal understanding of cancer and her lifelong commitment to supporting those affected by the disease.
In a previous interview with People, Fergie offered support to both King Charles and the Princess of Wales during their cancer treatments.
"I think they are an example to all families going through their own journeys of health," she said. The reception highlighted the Royal Family's united front in supporting cancer charities.
