New York
Sarah Ferguson looked sophisticated in navy ensemble as she stepped out for Global Citizen Prize and Cisco Youth Leadership Award on Wednesday.
In a positive sign that the Duchess is doing well after a series of health woes, the Duchess of York, 64, appeared in great spirits as she posed up a storm with the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Philip Brave Davis, at Spring Studio in New York.
In January, the Duchess revealed that she was diagnosed with skin cancer just months after having a mastectomy for breast cancer.
But in recent weeks, she’s been increasing her public appearances, even travelling as far as Samoa to visit women’s leadership groups last month.
Sarah Ferguson looked sophisticated in navy ensemble as she stepped out for Global Citizen Prize and Cisco Youth Leadership Award on Wednesday
The duchess donned a chic cropped blazer which she paired with a matching skirt, sheer tights and black pumps.
The mother-of-two donned a pair of elegant earrings and opted for a smattering of glamorous makeup.
Her locks were styled in loose curls and she completed the look with a sparkling headband.
During the event, Sarah beamed for a snap with Lydia Charles Moyo, who was the Citizen Award Recipient.
The Global Citizen Prize and Cisco Youth Leadership Award honors an individual aged 18-30 who has contributed meaningfully to global problem solving.
The prize winner received a $250,000 (£199,347) grant to enable their organization to continue to grow.
The outing comes as the Royal Family has faced a bout of health issues, with Sarah, King Charles III and the Princess of Wales all undergoing cancer treatment.
Last month, the mother of Princess Beatrice and Eugenie said she is ‘full of admiration’ for Kate Middleton for revealing her diagnosis.
Taking to social media, Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, fondly known as Fergie, payed tribute to the mother-of-three, saying that ‘everyone is praying for her’.
The mother-of-two donned a pair of elegant earrings and opted for a smattering of glamorous makeup
Fergie looked thrilled to be attending the Global Citizen Prize in New York, after she has taken some time out
The Duchess of York, known for her vibrant character, was in her element as she took to the stage at the event
Fergie smiled alongside Lydia Charles Moyo as she arrived at the event
The Duchess of York smiled alongside Philip Brave Davis
The duchess donned a chic cropped blazer which she paired with a matching skirt, sheer tights and black pumps
The Duchess of York , 64, appeared in great spirits as she posed up a storm with the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Philip Brave Davis, at Spring Studio in New York
In a heartfelt Instagram statement, the Duchess said: ‘All my thoughts and prayers are with the Princess of Wales as she starts her treatment.
‘I know she will be surrounded by the love of her family and everyone is praying for the best outcome.
‘As someone who has faced their own battles with cancer in recent months, I am full of admiration for the way she has spoken publicly about her diagnosis.’
Sarah was herself diagnosed with skin cancer just months after having a mastectomy for breast cancer.
Speaking about Kate’s decision to reveal her own diagnosis, the Duchess added: I know it will do a tremendous amount of good to raise awareness.’
She concluded the message, saying: ‘I hope she will now be given the time, space and privacy to heal.’
Fergie revealed her shock skin cancer diagnosis in January. The mother-of-two had a number of moles removed while undergoing breast reconstruction surgery last year, one of which was found to be malignant.
During the event, Sarah beamed for a snap with Lydia Charles Moyo, who was the Citizen Award Recipient
The Global Citizen Prize and Cisco Youth Leadership Award honors an individual aged 18-30 who has contributed meaningfully to global problem solving
Her locks were styled in loose curls and she completed the look with a sparkling headband
The duchess was described as being in ‘good spirits’ after the ‘distressing’ news, which was broken to her just days after Christmas.
A melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other areas of the body, mainly caused by exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun or sunbeds.
People with paler skin, a large number of moles and family history of skin cancer tend to be more at risk of developing this.
Friends at the time said Fergie is the ‘most resilient’ person they know and was already planning to pick up her television career again soon to encourage others to get themselves checked out.
One friend told the Mail that the duchess had been informed she would need ‘further investigations’ to make sure it has been caught at the early stages.
‘Everyone is hoping this is the case and the doctors are hopeful they have got it early, but melanoma is aggressive and they need to double check everything,’ they said.
Friends at the time said Fergie is the ‘most resilient’ person they know. Pictured with her daughters in November
Sarah, King Charles III (right) and the Princess of Wales (left) are all undergoing cancer treatment
They added of Sarah: ‘She’s very resilient and she does bounce back from things quite quickly but two diagnoses of cancer in six months, particularly when she thought she had just got over the breast cancer, is a lot for anyone to deal with and process.
‘You hope you’ve beaten it and then get something like this.
‘That’s why she wanted to take herself off to Austria for a couple of weeks, to get her head around everything. She’s back home now and the family have been very supportive.’
They also praised ‘her girls’ – Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie – who they said have been ‘fantastic over the last six months’.
‘They really have been brilliant over her breast cancer diagnosis. And they are already rallying around her,’ they said.
