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Sarah Ferguson – affectionately known as Fergie – joined the Royal Family in 1986 when she married Prince Andrew. Already a friend of Princess Diana, the two shared a close bond in those

days as they both navigated the pressures of royal life. In fact, Diana played a significant part in getting the Duke and Duchess of York together. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward, in her

1991 book “Sarah: HRH The Duchess of York”, takes a look at the early days of their royal romance, which began at Ascot in the summer of 1985. Ms Seward writes: “[Sarah’s] acquaintanceship

with the Princess of Wales had developed into a close friendship and while the Windsor gathering was very much the Sovereign’s private gathering, she enjoys the company of younger people and

naturally enough sought the guidance of her daughter-in-law when she came to draw up the guest lists. “Sarah was the obvious choice.  “The right age, the right background, and already on

familiar terms with the Royal Family.” The author continues that Sarah’s place sitting next to Andrew for Ascot lunch and dinner was “not quite coincidence”. She writes: “The Princess, an

incorrigible romantic, may have been trying her hand at a little matchmaking.” When Sarah and Prince Andrew hit it off, Diana gave her “enthusiastic encouragement” for the royal romance to

blossom. Diana’s father Earl Spencer told the author: “The two of them are great friends. “Sarah’s arrival made things much easier for Diana. She was so thrilled when Sarah and Andrew got

married. “After all, Diana was the one who brought them together.” Diana and Fergie, as well as being sisters-in-law, are actually related as they share a common ancestor. However, despite

their initial firm friendship, the two royal women would have their ups and downs over the years. When Fergie published her 1996 autobiography “My Story”, Diana was initially supportive but

asked that the Duchess did not write about her at all. However, Fergie wrote: “Diana helped me by giving me all her shoes (and less happily, her plantar warts).” The innocuous  reference to

plantar warts, otherwise known as verrucas, upset Diana so much that the pair did not speak and did not repair their relationship before she died in August 1997.