Profiterole was cupid’s dart for happy couple

Press, 22 July 1986, Page 41

Profiterole was cupid’s dart for happy couple

By

CHARLES MILLER

of the Press Association London

Each is a bubbly extrovert, fond of practical jokes and not afraid to let the world see their feelings.

He summed up the glad-to-be-home emotion of returning Falklands warriors by tossing his cap in the air and dancing along the Portsmouth quayside with a rose between his teeth.

She has captivated millions with eyes that flash and sparkle, mobile face full of laughter and readiness to snuggle up to her man wherever they are.

Andrew and Sarah seem made for each other.

It seemed right the Cupid used a profiterole instead of a dart to spark their love.

The setting was an Ascot lunch. They were sitting together; old friends since childhood. Andrew insisted that Sarah, ever struggling with her weight, should eat profiteroles, choco-late-covered and filled with cream.

When he refused them himself, she hit him in jest. They collapsed in laughter. And, as they had said themselves, it all began from there. “There are always humble beginnings,” says Andrew. “It’s got to start somewhere.” Andrew and Sarah had known each other since they were four or five years old. She grew up in the Royal circle — her father, Major Ronald Ferguson, is a close friend of Prince Philip, and is now

Prince Charles’s Polo manager.

But they were just acquaintances. Both had experiences of the opposite sex in young adulthood. Andrew, dubbed "Randy Andy” at Gordonstoun, had a long and highly publicised affair with the soft-porn actress turned photographer, Koo Stark, who in spite of reportedly fabulous financial offers has refused to “kiss and tell” to the news media. Other liaisons were with a model, Katie Rabett, Carolyn Seaward, and a former model, Vicki Hodge. Sarah had a three-year relationship with the motor-racing figure, Paddy McNally, a 48-year-old widower. It broke up when, reportedly, she realised he would not marry her.

So both were unattached when cupid’s assistant took a hand, in the guise of the Princess of Wales, a long-time friend of Sarah.

It was Diana who suggested Sarah would make a suitable escort for Andrew during Ascot week last year. After that the profiteroles took over. Although the world knew nothing of the profiteroles, it was immediately apparent that the couple were attracted to each other.

They were constantly at each other’s side at the races, chatting, giggling and generally enjoying themselves. As the weeks wore on, the romance developed — Sarah jokes that she was attracted by the Prince’s “wit, charm and good

looks” and he by her red hair.

In the background was the Princess of Wales, by now an experienced “Royal.” She played an important role, reassuring Sarah, answering the questions and helping to sort out any problems while the Prince was away on naval exercises. By last Christmas it was clear that the days of “Randy Andy” were over. Their relationship had developed into a sincere love for each other. Major Ferguson described it as strong. Diana, a close friend, once again stepped in as guardian and “minder” when it was decided that Sarah should be seen in public with Prince Andrew on a well publicised “private” visit to his frigate Brazen on a courtesy visit to London. The future queen watched over the future princess with a careful eye, but she need not have worried. Sarah already looked like one of the Family.

She and the Prince were initially cool in front of the array of photographers. But after the one-hour visit they walked down the gang-plank side-by-side, smiling and chatting. It was obvious she was to be the Princess Andrew.

The Royal machine swung into action. Sarah was allocated her own protection, press officers, and the aid of Prince Charles’s personal equerry. With Prince Andrew heading off on N.A.T.O. exercises immediately after Brazen’s visit to Lon-

don, Diana invited Sarah on a ski-ing holiday to Klosters, Switzerland. She displayed the tact and charm so necessary for a member of the Royal Family when confronted by packs of photographers and reporters on the ski slopes. Cheerfully dodging personal questions with replies like' “Let’s talk about something else. What about the ski-ing here?” She handled a set-piece photo-call like an oldtimer.

When they returned to Britain, the Princess, who knew from her personal experience, that Sarah and Prince Andrew would have great problems meeting privately, arranged for them to get together at Kensington Palace.

They also spent some time in the romantic setting of Floors Castle, home of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe in the Borders town of Kelso.

The Duke, the premier Baronet of Scotland, and the Duchess, sister of the Duke of Westminster, are close friends of the Royal Family. They are well liked in the area for their hardworking, down-to-earth attitude and their concern and interest in the local community.

The duchess’ name was once romantically linked with Prince Charles. They remain good friends and the Prince took the young Diana to 270-year-old Floors Castle during their courtship.

Prince Andrew once took Koo Stark there to escape the public gaze in

1982. But that visit was not mentioned when he and Sarah arrived at Floors, serenely situated above the River Tweed.

They went there on several occasions. The fairytale setting began to weave its spell. It was there that Prince Andrew proposed — in true romantic style on his knees — and was accepted. She told him: “if you wake up tomorrow morning, you can tell me it is all a huge joke.”

As a form of “thank you” the Duke and Duchess’s seven-year-old daughter Lady Rosanagh Innes-Ker was chosen as a bridesmaid.

Speculation about an imminent announcement reached fever pitch. On March 19 Buckingham Palace officially revealed the engagement. The Queen was “overjoyed, very happy and very pleased.” The couple appeared relaxed during a photo-call and press and television interviews, laughing, joking and playfully nudging each other.

Since then the amount of time they have been able to spend together has been limited. The Prince has been working hard on a course at Greenwich Naval College. However, they have already proved immensely popular on the Royal Family “round.” A visit to Northern Ireland was greatly appreciated. It was there that un self-conscious Sarah slipped her arm round Andrew and snuggled close during an official tour. It is clear they have a style that is all their own.