Inside the royal home with tragic past where Sarah Ferguson spent Christmas

The Royal Family have a number of homes across the UK, but one in particular has a tragic past and is where Sarah, Duchess of York would spend Christmas after her divorce

The Royal Family boasts a portfolio of homes, castles and palaces across the country, many of which were purchased with private funds. While Windsor Castle is the chosen venue for Easter celebrations, Christmas is traditionally spent at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

The festive season in 2022 marked significant progress for several reasons. Not only was it the first Christmas of King Charles' reign, but it also saw an inclusive guest list that extended to Queen Camilla's children and grandchildren, as well as Sarah, Duchess of York. Following her separation from Prince Andrew in 1992, Sarah had previously spent Christmases dining alone at Wood Farm, rather than with her two daughters. This cottage, nestled in a secluded corner of the Sandringham Estate, has a poignant back story.

Sandringham House itself is situated on a sprawling 20,000-acre estate within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The estate also houses several other buildings, including Anmer Hall - the countryside residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Park House and York Cottage.

Wood Farm, a quaint cottage built around the same time as the main Sandringham House, was sold to and modified for the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, chose to spend most of his time at Wood Farm following his retirement in 2017, rather than residing in London. The property has also served as a temporary home for divorced Royal spouses during the holiday season, allowing them to be close to their children without officially participating in the festive celebrations at the main house.

Royal biographer Robert Jobson once told The Mirror that Wood Farm had long been a sanctuary for the late Queen. "The Grade II-listed Wood Farm, located on a secluded part of the Queen's Sandringham Estate looking out to sea, has long been a bolthole for the Queen and her late husband Prince Philip."

"It is where the Queen, Philip, and their four children went to relax for more than 50 years. And, of course, it is where Philip made his retirement home in his twilight years with the Queen's blessing. The Queen was known to cook and even do dishes while she was staying there."

"With its simple furnishings and open fires, it is a lot less formal than life at Windsor, Buckingham Palace and even Balmoral, although it is spacious enough. When Philip was there, he didn't stand on ceremony and servants didn't wear the usual royal uniforms."

While the late Prince Philip is certainly the most recent Royal to live at Wood Farm on a permanent basis, the most notable resident was Prince John, the youngest son of King George V and Queen Mary.

By his fourth birthday in 1909, John was described as "winsome" and "painfully slow." That same year, he experienced his first epileptic seizure. He also began to exhibit signs of what experts now believe was a severe form of autism.

Despite being a regular public figure until the age of 11, Prince John's behaviour raised concerns, leading to his absence from his parents' coronation in 1911. During World War I, John saw less of his parents due to their official duties, gradually fading from public view with no official portraits commissioned after 1913.

In 1916, the prince's epileptic seizures intensified, resulting in him being sent to live with his governess Charlotte "Lala" Bill at Wood Farm, a secluded farmhouse on the Sandringham Estate. Doctors warned the family that he would likely not reach adulthood.

John spent Christmas Day in 1918 with his family at Sandringham House, but returned to Wood Farm that evening. On January 18, 1919, Prince John passed away in his sleep at Wood Farm following a severe seizure.

His final resting place is St Mary Magdalene Church, where the royals traditionally attend their Christmas morning service.