With Sarah Ferguson keeping an extremely low profile in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein revelations, speculation surrounding her whereabouts and future plans continues to mount. Rumours have emerged suggesting she may be living overseas and contemplating writing a tell-all book, yet her office has yet to issue any official statement regarding her current circumstances or intentions.

Meanwhile, her former husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor remains under investigation for alleged misconduct in public office following the revelations surrounding his associations with Jeffrey Epstein. The former Duke of York has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.

Although Fergie and Andrew divorced in 1996, they have maintained a remarkably close bond, and a royal author who spent time with the Duchess has recalled how their distinctive dynamic endured long after their formal separation.

"I remember on one occasion a long time ago I was with her and [Andrew] rang up and she stood up and said, 'Hello husband'," Ingrid Seward said. "He wasn't really her husband at that point as they had separated, but that's how they've always seen each other."

Despite Andrew's retreat from public duties and his relocation to Marsh Farm following his eviction from Royal Lodge after losing his Duke of York title, Ingrid suspects Fergie has absolutely no intention of severing ties with him. "I think she is in contact with Andrew, because she's a kind person and I don't think she'd want to leave him high and dry," she said.

"And also, he is the father of her children. And to him, she's the mother of the children. He's always seen her like that. He always saw her as the mother of his children and therefore she was the most important woman in his life, so of course she's in contact with him."

Ingrid also hinted that Fergie could be serving as a "go-between" linking Andrew and their adult daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, telling us, "Beatrice has always been close to Andrew, Eugenie less so.

"Beatrice has the King on her side, he's very fond of her," she said. "She's more studious and considerate maybe, whereas one might say Eugenie is more fun. That's how it used to be anyway, Eugenie gets on with her life and she likes to be around fun people and doesn't bear grudges, she's sort of a more simple person that Beatrice."

Persistent speculation continues to swirl that Fergie may contemplate a tell-all book or a high-profile TV interview to safeguard her financial future, yet Ingrid maintains the former Duchess will be acutely conscious of what she risks losing should she pursue such a path.

"If she does a book or a tell-all interview she will be cutting herself off from everyone and potentially ruining her children's lives, which is one thing she would not do. I'm sure they're telling her to keep quiet and lie low," she told us.

"But that might be the only way she can make money, she's not going to be supported by her children forever. But she has an incredible knack of finding people to look after her. She lands on her feet, but she's often fought hard to do so, so I think she will be okay in the long-run.

"I don't think we'll see her popping up at Royal Ascot or anything, she won't be that blatant and will stay under the radar for a bit, but she will need to emerge and live her life again at some point. At the moment, everyone wants to know where she is, who she's with and what she's doing. She's a sort of hunted woman, there's almost a price on her head."