Elizabeth II laughed over Princess Diana and me getting arrested, reveals Duchess of York

Late Princess of Wales and Sarah Ferguson were detained for impersonating police officers a week before Duchess’ wedding to Prince Andrew

Sarah, Duchess of York has recalled how Elizabeth II laughed at her and Princess Diana getting arrested on a hen party.

The Duchess of York, 64, said she and the late Princess of Wales were arrested a week before her wedding to Prince Andrew for impersonating police officers.

The Duchess admitted that she was “hauled in front of the boss” the following day but that the late Queen found the story amusing.

Princess Diana (right) with Sarah Ferguson at the Guard's Polo Club, Windsor, in June 1983

Princess Diana (right) with Sarah Ferguson at the Guard’s Polo Club, Windsor, in June 1983 CREDIT: Georges De Keerle/Hulton Archive

“On my hen night we did dress up as policewomen and we were arrested by parks’ police,” she told the White Wine Question Time podcast.

“We were put in the back of the parks’ police van and Diana then leant and ate his smokey bacon crisps – the man who was driving.

“And then we were arrested and then eventually she had to flick her ring, her call sign.

“And then we got off, eventually.”

The Duchess’s hen party was one week before her wedding to Prince Andrew in July 1986.

“Certainly I was hauled in front of the boss the next day,” she continued.

“But luckily the HM did laugh.”

She added: “We both flashed our rings because I had one by then, it was certainly a very good memory.”

Princess Diana with the Duchess of York and Elizabeth II during Derby Day at Epsom in June 1987

Princess Diana with the Duchess of York and Elizabeth II during Derby Day at Epsom in June 1987 CREDIT: Hulton Royals Collection

The Duchess said she and Princess Diana, who died in 1997 at 36 years old, had gone to Annabel’s nightclub in Central London.

She said a staff member at the private member’s club, which was often frequented by members of the Royal family, “didn’t recognise us” and asked them to leave as “this is a club for people to have fun”.

“He thought we were policewomen,” she added.

“And then we got out onto Berkeley Square and a woman got out in a tatters dress, and it was spotty, and Diana said ‘Oh, I’ve got that dress’.

“I said, ‘Shush, be quiet, you’re a policewoman you can’t say things like that’.

“She was very funny.”

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