Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 20, 1992 TAG: 9203200082
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LONDON LENGTH: Medium
But the terse palace statement did not reflect reports of deep anger at the impending breakup of another royal family.
The statement - issued on the sixth anniversary of Andrew's announcement of the couple's engagement - said lawyers for the duchess, the former Sarah Ferguson, initiated talks last week about a separation.
"These discussions are not yet complete and nothing more will be said until they are," it said. "The queen hopes that the media will spare the Duke and Duchess of York and their children any intrusion."
British Broadcasting Corp. reported unprecedented expressions of anger within the palace at the duchess - known as "Fergie" to the public - who was accused of feeding a newspaper frenzy over the story this week.
"The knives are out for Fergie at the palace," BBC reporter Paul Reynolds said after a news briefing there.
Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II and fourth in line to the throne, married Sarah on July 23, 1986. They both are 32 and have two daughters, Princess Beatrice, 3, and Princess Eugenie, nearly 2.
Sarah was welcomed to the royal family as a down-to-earth working woman and breath of fresh air. But she soon was dogged by tabloid criticism of her figure, clothes, palatial new home and frequent vacations.
On Wednesday and Thursday, British newspapers carried reports that she was fed up with the constant carping and the restraints of life as a royal wife.
"She wasn't born to be stuffy. She was born to have fun," the Daily Telegraph said.
by CNB