Sarah Ferguson Slapped With $2 Million Rejection as She Desperately Tries to Shop Her Latest Book in the States: Source

OK! can reveal Sarah Ferguson has been dealt a multimillion-dollar setback in the United States after failing to secure a lucrative publishing deal, with insiders claiming the rejection reflects growing reluctance to be associated with ongoing controversy surrounding her former husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The former Duchess of York, 66, is said to have been seeking an advance of around $2 million for a new book, but has instead encountered a series of rejections from publishers.

The situation comes amid renewed scrutiny linked to Andrew, 66, who remains under investigation over allegations tied to his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019 at age 66. Ferguson, who previously admitted accepting cash from Epstein in 2011 and described it as a "gigantic error of judgment," has also seen her public profile affected by the fallout.

Once a familiar figure in American media and a successful author of children's titles, including the Little Red series and Tea for Ruby, she is now said to be struggling to regain a foothold in the U.S. market.

A source said: "There has been a clear shift in how her projects are being received, particularly within the U.S. publishing market, where reputation and public perception play an outsized role in decision-making. Executives are acutely aware that a deal of this magnitude would not happen quietly – it would invite intense scrutiny, and that reality has made many far more hesitant to move forward."

The source added: "From a business perspective, the concern is that the wider controversy risks eclipsing the content of the book itself. When that happens, the conversation moves away from the work and onto the surrounding narrative, which can directly affect sales, brand partnerships and long-term viability. For publishers, that level of uncertainty is a significant deterrent, particularly when substantial financial commitments are on the table."

A publishing insider added: "There is a growing feeling within the industry that the timing has not been in her favor. Regardless of the strength or appeal of the manuscript itself, it is difficult to separate the project from the wider narrative currently surrounding her and her family, and that context inevitably shapes how it is received."

The insider added: "Publishers are more attuned than ever to how quickly sentiment can change, especially in a media environment where reactions can escalate almost instantly. Attaching themselves to a figure under this level of scrutiny is viewed as a considerable reputational risk, particularly in a market as visible and commercially sensitive as the United States."

Meanwhile, Ferguson's living arrangements remain unclear after she left Royal Lodge in Windsor, where she had lived with Andrew for around two decades despite their 1996 divorce.

She has been sofa-surfing around the world, and is said to be currently living with her old pal Priscilla Presley.

A source close to the situation said: "There is an increasing sense that Sarah is in a period of reassessment, trying to map out her next move both personally and professionally. However, the reception she has encountered in the U.S. market has made that process more complex than she had initially expected, and it has forced a more cautious approach. Essentially, there is a worry her brand is now totally toxic due to Andrew and Epstein. Publishers do not want to be seen to be profiting off any of those associations."