Sarah Ferguson admits she’s “had a lot of mental problems” that she’s kept private over the years.
“I’ve always managed to hide [them] very well. People pleasing, over generosity, gift giving, all that sort of stuff,” the Duchess of York, 63, said during an interview on stage at The 92nd Street Y, New York, Monday night.
She then shared some further insight into why she always felt the need to compulsively buy presents for other people in her life in the past.
“[It was], ‘They can’t love me,’” she confessed. “I have no self-worth, therefore I must over-compensate. And it’s a thing I talk about very candidly.”
Ferguson was at the event to promote her latest novel, “A Most Intriguing Lady.” She joked to the crowd that in addition to writing, she also has acting aspirations.
“I would like to do a Hallmark film,” she teased. “I want to be the one who leaves New York and goes to Vermont or somewhere and the car goes off the road and a really handsome man comes to rescue me.”
However, the “Her Heart for a Compass“ author deflected when asked about her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, who was forced to retire from royal life due to his questionable friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Though she called Prince Andrew “a very good man” at one point, Ferguson steered the conversation into a discussion about the former couple’s two children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
“The thing is, is that the girls and I are called ‘the tripod,’ but it’s very sad to see the cruelty given to another,” she explained.
“And I feel very strongly that the most important thing is to keep Beatrice and Eugenie and tripod, the mum, the best way we can, [which to] win is by success, and my goodness, the kids are incredible.”
Ferguson also managed to tread carefully when asked about Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, who have been outspoken critics of the royal family.
“[Princess] Diana and I, we played a lot and had a great time and I feel really strongly – and so would the King – [that she would] be so proud of the grandchildren. And of the family.”
“And I do believe in family unity. I think forgiveness is key,” she added, perhaps alluding to the current strained relationship between Prince Harry and King Charles III.
The Duke of Sussex confirmed last week that he had been asked to “vacate” his UK abode, Frogmore Cottage, the day after his controversial memoir, “Spare,” was released.
The royal shared that she doesn’t know yet if she has received an invite to King Charles’ coronation, which is set to take place on May 6.