Fergie terrified of queen

May 9, 2007, 12:40 GMT

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, finds Britain's Queen Elizabeth "terrifying".

The duchess - the ex-wife of Britain's Prince Andrew - confessed she found her former mother-in-law an intimidating character.

While hosting US TV show 'The View' yesterday (08.05.07), she said: "She is one to the greatest icons of all time but she is terrifying."

The 47-year-old royal had a turbulent relationship with the queen. She was famously shunned by the royal family when pictures of her sucking American financial manager John Bryan's toes emerged in 1992.

Although Sarah had separated from Andrew in January 1992 the couple - who have two children Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie - only officially divorced in 1996.

Sarah has previously confessed she was wracked with guilt about letting the monarch down after watching the hit film 'The Queen'.

The duchess admitted watching the British Royal Family cope with the death of Princess Diana in Stephen Frears' movie made her regret any upset she caused Queen Elizabeth over her behaviour when married to Prince Andrew.

She said: "The queen is one of the finest ladies I've ever met in me life.

"I'm so honoured to be able to say we are friends. I love her. She's given up her whole life to her country.

"I started beating myself up a bit watching the movie, because I started thinking, 'What a shame if I let her down in any way.' "

(C) BANG Media International