Sarah Ferguson shares sweet New Year's message to the late Queen

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has shared a very special New Year's message in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Taking to Instagram, Fergie posted a photo of the Queen in her signature bright colours, this time in yellow, along with a handwritten note.

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The note begins with the words, "We will miss you dearest friend. September 19th, 2022," referring to the date of the Queen's funeral.

It then launches into a poem, reading,

"As the primroses appear on the banks of Windsor so clear,

"New beginnings, new paths, new rainbows to see,

"You are tucked in our hearts even though apart – So welcome 2023, knowing you are free.

"Happy New Year."

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Despite being divorced from Prince Andrew, Ferguson has maintained a close relationship with the royal family, especially her late mother-in-law, who she used to fondly call "boss".

She revealed the late monarch even served as inspiration for the characters in her Mills and Boons romance books, after the Queen gave her her blessing to go ahead.

"When we wrote the book, I gave it to the boss and I said, 'You don't need to read it,'" Fergie revealed to The Telegraph, "But I think she was so proud that we did it. And that's just huge for me. She was just very, very special."

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When the duchess was asked if anyone inspired her book characters, she admitted: "There's no question about it, mine is my mother-in-law."

"It's been all my life that I've known the boss and there's no one like her," she said, "I wouldn't do anything unless the boss gave me her blessing though, and still to this day, I think about that."