SARAH Ferguson beamed as she today revealed the final words the late Queen said to her before she died.
The Duchess of York, 64, said that unforgettable conversation was one of the "greatest gifts" the late Monarch ever gave her.
Sarah Ferguson today revealed the final words the Queen said to her
Fergie, pictured with the late Queen, said the conversation was one of the greatest gifts
The Queen and Fergie were said to have had a special relationship
The Duchess of York today appeared on Loose Women
Fergie has spent recent months battling breast and skin cancer and has finally finished her treatment.
She today talked about her fight against cancer - and other parts of her life - on Loose Women.
It was on air that Fergie, who still lives with her ex-husband Prince Andrew, revealed the final conversation she had with the late Queen.
She said it was then that the late Monarch told her to just "be yourself".
The 64-year-old, who has also just released a romance novel, said: "I can honestly say that was the greatest gift the Queen has ever given me.
"Just before the Queen died she said to me 'you know what Sarah, you just be yourself and that's good enough'."
Fergie said with a smile ear-to-ear: "Isn't that sweet?
"And every time, like even coming on Loose Women today, you know you've got to keep your wits about you, you're very very bright all of you.
"But now I can just be here and be authentic rather than worrying and I think that was her gift for me."
Fergie and the late Queen were said to have had a special bond, and the Duchess labelled her a "dear friend".
She wished Her Majesty a happy birthday in April and wrote: "Thank you for all that you have taught us, for being a steadfast leader and dear friend. You are sorely missed."
In January, Fergie revealed she had been diagnosed with skin cancer after doctors found a malignant melanoma.
It came months after she underwent treatment for breast cancer in May 2023.
Medics found the disease, which kills around 11,500 women a year in the UK, following a routine mammogram.
But she today revealed she had completed her treatment as she boasted about her latest novel A Very Intriguing Lady, which is co-written with Marguerite Kaye.
I can honestly say that was the greatest gift the Queen has ever given me.
The heroine, Lady Mary Montagu Douglas Scott, is loosely based on Fergie’s own ancestors, as well as her own personality - namely a fondness for constantly surprising others.
She previously told The Sun: “Not many people get the chance to embark on something new in their sixties, and I feel very lucky.
“I am a storyteller, and I believe in living every day romantically.”
Writing romance seems to come easily to a woman who still sees her life as a fairytale - despite a few less than magical twists along the way.
She said: “Marrying into the Royal Family and becoming a princess and then a royal duchess, you are in a very lucky place,” she says.
“I fell in love with my very good looking prince, and I married in 1986 and I am very, very proud.
"I am deeply grateful and I had the most incredible mother-in-law and family.
“And I really do believe in the institution and the monarchy and standing for that value system.”
