Sarah Ferguson and Diddy: author defends ‘friends with benefits’ claim
Andrew Lownie alleges that Ferguson had sex with the rapper in the 2000s before his downfall
www.thetimes.comHere’s the latest on Sarah Ferguson and Diddy as of May 2026.
- Key claims have surfaced from royal biographer Andrew Lownie’s forthcoming book Entitled, alleging that Sarah Ferguson had a “friends with benefits” relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs in the 2000s and that Eugenie attended some of his parties when she was a minor. These claims have dominated royal gossip cycles and been covered by several outlets.[3][4][5][7]
- The allegations come amid broader royal-family scrutiny tied to associations with Jeffrey Epstein and other figures, which has complicated the Yorks’ public image in 2025–2026, with ongoing media coverage about Andrew and Ferguson’s connections and related investigations.[2][10][3]
- Official statements from Ferguson’s representatives have disputed the claims about a sustained intimate relationship, while some coverage notes that documented items (like Epstein-related emails) are separate from the new Diddy allegations.[1][2]
Illustration of coverage trends:
- Multiple outlets have reported the same core claims, often framing them as allegations from a biographer rather than confirmed facts, while also noting Ferguson’s public denial of the most provocative specifics.[7][9][3]
- The conversation intersects with Princess Eugenie’s pregnancy news and other York family headlines, adding to the sense that the royal narrative is currently consuming more attention around personal associations than policy or duties.[5][3]
What to watch next:
- The paperback edition of Entitled and any official responses from Ferguson or her representatives, which may address the specific Diddy-related claims more directly.[5][7]
- Any follow-up reporting or court or legal filings related to Epstein, Andrew, or related investigations, as these could contextualize or challenge the broader backdrop of these allegations.[2][3]
If you’d like, I can pull a brief timeline of the key claims and the outlets reporting them, or summarize the responses from Ferguson’s team and from Diddy’s camp as they become available.