Sarah Ferguson to visit the Queen at Balmoral Castle, in rare invitation

A rare invite has been extended to Sarah Ferguson by the Queen, inviting her former daughter-in-law to stay at Balmoral Castle.

Her Majesty has reportedly granted the Duchess an open invitation to spend time at her Scottish residence alongside her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, whom she still lives with at Royal Lodge, Windsor.

The Daily Mail reports that Fergie will also be able to stay at the castle for as long as Prince Andrew — unlike previous visits where she was forced to leave early before the arrival of Prince Philip.

Sarah and the late Duke of Edinburgh reportedly had a strained relationship. In previous years, Ferguson has only stayed at the Deeside castle for a few days before making a swift exit in time for the duke to join the Queen.

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Fergie is on good terms with the royal family, with the Queen reportedly appreciating Sarah's loyalty to the family, despite her divorce in 1996.

The family is also said to be pleased by the close relationship she has maintained with Andrew, despite their parting.

And while Fergie is not often extended an invitation to Balmoral, a piece of her has remained at the home.

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In a photo shared on the official royal family Instagram account, the Queen is pictured with Prince Philip, and a sofa full of their gorgeous great-grandchildren.

The image was taken at Balmoral in 2018, and in the background, there is reportedly a gift Fergie gave to the monarch.

Sarah gifted Her Majesty a hand-crafted table lamp, which she commissioned of Rosanna Lonsdale, according to reports.

The lamp, which features a motif of the sweet peas at Balmoral, sits proudly on a table behind the sofa in the Queen's private sitting room.

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