Sarah Ferguson has snubbed Prince Andrew with her emotional tribute after daughter Princess Beatrice announced she is expecting her second child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

Sarah Ferguson, Princess Beatrice and Prince Andrew in 2018 (Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Prince Andrew and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, maintain a cordial relationship, even sharing the Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate as their residence. However, the atmosphere might be slightly chilly this week after the 64 year old Duchess of York overlooked him in a heartfelt message to their daughter.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that Princess Beatrice is expecting her second child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. This announcement brought a much-needed spark of happiness to the York family, who have had a challenging year.

In addition to Andrew’s ongoing embarrassment over his association with Jeffrey Epstein, he has been embroiled in a persistent dispute with King Charles regarding the future of the Royal Lodge. Fergie received the heartbreaking news of her skin cancer diagnosis, while Beatrice, aged 36, was reportedly deeply upset by the tragic death of her former boyfriend, Paulo Liuzzo.

However, any aspirations the 64 year old Duke of York may have had that the baby news would foster a sense of unity within the family appear to have been thwarted when his ex-wife shared a touching post on social media. Despite their amicable relationship, the message conspicuously omitted any reference to the soon-to-be grandfather, reports the Scottish Daily Express.

She exclaimed: “Words can’t quite express the joy and excitement I feel as you and Endo prepare to welcome another precious addition to your beautiful family. Becoming a grant again fills my heart with so much happiness and gratitude. Watching you grow as a mother has been one of the greatest privileges of my life and now to see your family blossom further is an absolute blessing.”

“Our family is growing and so too is the love that surrounds us. I cannot wait to meet this little one and to share in all the wonderful memories we will make together.”

Additionally, she expressed her pride as a “very proud GiGi/Mum” on social media, where she shared a photo of herself with Beatrice and Sienna, aged 3, conspicuously without grandfather Andrew.

This isn’t the first instance of Fergie omitting Andrew in her family-focused posts on social media. On Father’s Day, she bypassed mentioning him, instead highlighting Mr Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank, Princess Eugenie’s husband, who is a father of two.