THE DUKE and Duchess of York have agreed to divorce. Their petition is one of 29 "quickie" divorces being heard in London today, writes Rachel Borrill.
It is expected their 10 year marriage will be dissolved by the end of May, their solicitors announced in a joint statement yesterday.
At a two minute hearing today in the High Court's Family Division, Somerset House, central London, the Duke and Duchess of York's application for a divorce on the grounds that they have been separated for over four years, will be granted.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman stressed that the couple had not been pressurised by Queen Elizabeth or any other member of the Royal family to divorce and would continue to remain "close friends". Their children, princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, fifth and sixth in line to the throne, will continue to live with their mother.
"The Queen was saddened by the Duke and Duchess of York's decision to divorce. It was entirely a personal decision. Any subsequent financial arrangements between the duke and duchess are entirely a personal matter and will not be discussed with the media," the Palace spokesman added.
According to the joint statement, the Duchess of York (36), who is skiing in Switzerland with her two daughters, has also chosen to drop the title "Her Royal Highness".
Within months of their 1986 marriage, the Duchess of York's behaviour and antics dominated the headlines. Initially portrayed as "a modern woman," royal officials soon privately suggested that Fergie was "totally unsuitable" and "devalued" the royal family.
However, the Duke of York has consistently refused to criticise his wife, despite her extravagant lifestyle and frequent holidays abroad, which have left her a rumoured stg£3 million debt.
As if to signify the "end of a royal era" Queen Elizabeth has not invited the Duchess of York or the Princess of Wales, who is currently negotiating her own divorce settlement, to her 70th birthday party this weekend.