SARAH VINE: My husband's PDA with a woman half my age and why we should all strive to be more Fergie this Christmas
Share:
Christmas can be a tricky time for families, especially if one’s is not exactly what you might call normal. That said, what family is? We are all complicated in our unique ways, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still love, respect and care for each other.
![[Several friends sent messages of sympathy. One woke me in the night with a hug emoji]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/16/93239249-14202051-image-a-12_1734453908606.jpg)
For example, I’m separated from the father of my two children, Michael Gove. We filed for divorce in 2021, after more than 20 years together. But that doesn’t mean we hate each other. Far from it. In fact, I would venture to say that we rub along far better now that we are no longer married.
![[Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, with Prince Andrew at Royal Ascot in 2019]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/16/93240449-14202051-image-a-1_1734453031061.jpg)
And far from resenting him, I find myself wishing him every happiness. It’s partly selfish, of course: after all, it’s in my interest for our children to have a happy dad. But I also genuinely mean it. We may not be together, but we will always be family, however wonky.
Some people struggle with this idea. This weekend, when a tabloid newspaper gleefully published snatched photos of Michael indulging in a rather involved PDA with his new(ish) significant other at J Sheekey, a restaurant in London's Covent Garden, several friends sent messages of sympathy. One, bless her, woke me up in the middle of the night with a hug emoji.
This weekend, a newspaper published photos of Michael indulging in a rather involved PDA with his new(ish) significant other at a restaurant in Covent Garden. Several friends sent messages of sympathy. One woke me in the night with a hug emoji. I am, of course, deeply appreciative of my friends’ concern for my wellbeing. And I understand why they might think that I, an ageing 57-year-old singleton who spends more time with her animals than other humans and who is usually in bed by 9:30pm, might feel sad at the sight of my ex kissing a raven-haired beauty half my age in a glamorous West End seafood restaurant. But they needn’t worry so much: I’m a big girl. And besides, I’ve always hated lobster.
