The Duchess of York has offered up a “unique experience” with her at Royal Lodge to bidders at a star-studded auction in France.
Sarah, 64, had laid down a number of options to guests at a charity gala in Cannes on Monday evening – including a trip to the South Pacific, a stay at a London pad, or even the chance to join her on a volunteering “adventure” around the world.
But it was her offer of a stay at Royal Lodge, the sprawling Berkshire home she shares with her former husband Prince Andrew, which convinced one uber-wealthy guest.
The Mail reported that Fergie’s proposal was enough to persuade one particularly philanthropic bidder at the Knights of Charity Gala to part with an eye-watering €100,000 (£84,000).
The duchess sported a striking black and white caped gown complete with fitted black opera gloves
Getty
The sale, under star auctioneer Simon de Pury at the Knights of Charity Gala in Cannes’s Chateau de la Croix des Gardes, followed a dressing-down of the audience by the duchess, who light-heartedly accused attendees of lacking energy.
She then told guests: “What I’m offering is a unique experience with me, wherever you want to go in the world, whether it be Samoa, or whether you come with me in one of my charity adventures, or it could be in London or at the Royal Lodge.
“Anywhere you want to go. You don’t know where you’re going to end up, but it’ll always be something different.”
The gala was held at the chateau where Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 film “To Catch a Thief” was filmed – and Sarah was dressed accordingly.
READ MORE ON THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK:
The duchess clutched an ostrich-leather mini black briefcase bag from Ethan K – which retails for some £2,600
Harrods/Getty
The Knights of Charity Gala took place in Cannes’s Chateau de la Croix des Gardes
Getty/Chateau de la Croix des Gardes
The duchess sported a striking black and white caped gown, complete with fitted black opera gloves and paired with an ostrich-leather mini black briefcase bag from Ethan K – which retails for some £2,600.
She told the Mail’s Richard Eden: “I like the theme, you know, of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly – and I can wear my gloves.
“No, I don’t feel hot in them, I love them. I think it’s rather nice to keep up with this. I just like wearing gloves!”
Fergie’s offering-up of Royal Lodge of the highest bidder comes amid reports that the King is pushing Prince Andrew to vacate the 30-room mansion in favour of Prince Harry’s former home, Frogmore Cottage.
The hilltop chateau played host to filming for the 1955 Hitchcock flick
Wikimedia Commons/Google
The King is said to be urging his disgraced brother to leave the Lodge, with Royal commentator Tom Quinn claiming: “It sends a message to Harry that, as a private citizen and no longer a working royal he will never be allowed back to Frogmore.”
The Duke of York has over five decades left on the 75-year-lease he signed for the Royal Lodge – in Windsor Great Park, between nearby Windsor and leafy Egham.
But Frogmore Cottage, once the official residence of Harry and Meghan, is still empty – even though it’s been more than a year since the couple left.
Palace officials confirmed the four-bed property in the grounds of Windsor Castle hadn’t taken on any new tenants as part of this year’s Sovereign Grant press release.
