Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, is reportedly spending her summer at a "luxuriously appointed" villa in Verbier, Switzerland, owned by the late Formula One mogul Paddy McNally. Richard Kay, senior Editor-at-Large for the Daily Mail, shared this information on the publication's "Palace Confidential" program. Kay was joined by Diary Editor Richard Eden to discuss McNally, who was Ferguson's last serious boyfriend before her marriage to Prince Andrew.
McNally died on July 22 at the age of 88, following a lengthy illness. The couple met in Verbier in the early 1980s, where Ferguson worked as a nanny. Their relationship lasted for three years, from 1982 to 1985, despite a 22-year age difference. It has been reported that the romance ended when Ferguson desired a marriage proposal.
Despite the end of their romantic involvement, McNally and Ferguson reportedly remained close friends. The business magnate is said to have provided Ferguson and her daughters with access to properties within his extensive European portfolio.
Kay suggested that McNally's Verbier villa offers a more relaxed atmosphere during the summer months, being less crowded than during the ski season. He described it as a "perfect place to hide up."
Ferguson was last publicly seen in December 2025, en route to the christening of her granddaughter, Athena.
Paddy McNally's estate is estimated to be worth around £600 million. His wealth was largely accrued from the sale of his Formula One hospitality business, Allsport Management, for £262 million in 2006.
While there have been reports suggesting Ferguson might be a beneficiary of McNally's will, Kay expressed skepticism. He indicated that McNally had likely already provided for Ferguson throughout her life and may have intended to leave a significant portion of his estate to charities. Kay noted that individuals like McNally typically have trusts and arrangements in place to manage inheritance tax and other estate requirements.
The full episode of "Palace Confidential" also reportedly discusses Prince Harry's involvement with the Invictus Games.