Royal author Andrew Lownie has defended his claims that Sarah Ferguson once maintained a sexual relationship with disgraced rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs. Lownie, whose 2025 book Entitled explored the lives of Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, published these allegations ahead of the release of the updated paperback edition, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, scheduled for May 21.
In an extract published by the Daily Mail, Lownie alleged that a former employee at Bad Boy Records claimed the rapper was obsessed with the royal family and boasted about having sexual encounters with Ferguson. The book further suggests that the pair met at a 2002 party hosted by Ghislaine Maxwell, with an associate of the singer alleging that a secret “friends with benefits” relationship began in 2004 and persisted for several years.
Last year, Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced to over four years in prison following his conviction on federal prostitution-related charges. Meanwhile, Ghislaine Maxwell, a former partner of Jeffrey Epstein, was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021.
A source close to Sarah Ferguson has dismissed the allegations, telling The Sunday Times: “This is absolute fabricated nonsense, blatantly untrue, and yet another false allegation from him.”
Despite the pushback, Lownie remains steadfast. “I stand by it, it’s fully sourced with former employees of P Diddy and Sarah Ferguson,” he stated, noting that his research included multiple accounts. He also pointed to Ferguson’s past associations with Epstein, noting that an email surfaced last September in which she referred to the late financier as her “supreme friend,” despite previously claiming she had severed ties with him.
The updated book also makes several other claims, including that Combs’ 2006 fragrance “Unforgivable” was inspired by Ferguson’s preferences. Furthermore, Lownie alleges that Ferguson introduced her daughters to Combs on multiple occasions, including a 2006 yacht trip, an act one royal staff member reportedly described as “alarming.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs, Sarah Ferguson the Duchess of York and Princess Eugenie pictured at the “Unforgivable” fragrance celebration dinner in St Tropez, 2006. CREDIT: Jon Furniss/WireImage for MAC Cosmetics
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
