Prince Andrew was seen driving around his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who was spotted outside for the first time since undergoing surgery for breast cancer.
During a routine mammography, the Duchess of York, 63, learned she had an early stage of cancer.
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She is believed to be recovering with her family at Windsor, at Royal Lodge, where she resides with her ex-husband, after leaving the King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone, central London, which has treated the royal family for decades.
A week later, photos of her being driven through Windsor by Andrew, also 63, surfaced. She was said to be looking relaxed, while dressed in a light blue shirt and navy jacket.
She discussed her diagnosis on her new podcast Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah, which was released last Monday (July 24), before going to the hospital. It was apparently filmed before her operation and was scheduled to air on Thursday before being postponed until after she was discharged.
The Royal said: “I really feel this is really exciting, about having this enormous friend with me, who is now my friend, to such a degree I feel like a shield like I’ve got a shield of protection because it feels like it’s definitely there to say, ‘We got this’.”
The Duchess has stated that she believes in “manifestation” and “the power of positive thought.” “I think there’s no question about it,” she remarked.
“Sarah, Duchess of York, was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening. She was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully.
“The duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with her family. The duchess wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days.
“She is also hugely thankful to the staff involved in the mammogram which identified her illness, which was otherwise symptom-free, and believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening.”
The Duke of York and their daughters Princess Beatrice, 34, and Princess Eugenie, 33, were said to be by her side while she recovered. She was not at Royal Ascot earlier this week because she was being treated in the hospital.
In 2019, the Duchess spoke at a Breast Cancer Foundation gala as a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Beatrice was sighted with friends at Glastonbury on Sunday, the festival’s final day, and earlier this week at Royal Ascot.
“We’re saddened to hear of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York’s, recent breast cancer diagnosis,” said Ann O’Flynn, head of information and support at the charity Macmillan Cancer Support.
“We know that hearing the words ‘you’ve got cancer’ can turn people’s worlds upside down in a heartbeat.”
She said Macmillan does “whatever it takes to support everybody living with cancer, from the moment they’re diagnosed” with a support line, web chat service, and online community forums available.
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“We send our best wishes and support to the duchess, her family, and anyone affected by this news,” said Addie Mitchell, clinical nurse specialist with the charity Breast Cancer Now. Nothing can prepare you for the shock of hearing the words “You have breast cancer,” and sadly every 10 minutes one woman in the UK experiences this.
“That the duchess’s breast cancer was identified early via mammogram is a testament to the importance of breast screening. The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed the more likely treatment is to be successful, and we encourage women to attend their routine screening appointments when invited.”
