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 TV show "The View" on Tuesday, she said: "She is one of 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 behavior 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 honored 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.' "

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READER COMMENTS
May 22, 2007 - 01:07AM - Babs
I've had the pleasure of meeting the Duchess of York at a book signing in New York, and I found her to be extremely intelligent, polite, and sensitive to the feelings of others. She had brought her daughter Eugenie, who was also very nice. My friends and I all admire Sarah, and I wish she would recognize how good she is, and discard her self-doubts.
October 6, 2007 - 02:33AM - koka paramore
I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED SARAH FERGUSON DUTCHES OF YORK.SHE WAS TREATED SO BADLY AND NOT GIVEN A CHANCE WITH THE ROYALS EXCEPT PRINCESS DIANA.I REALLY THINK THE QUEEN THINKS NO WOMAN IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR HER SONS.SARAH WAS SO HAPPY WITH ANDREW BUT YOU KNOW WHO BROKE IT UP AS FAST AS THOSE TWO COULD.SHE STILL LOVES ANDREW AND I BELIEVE HE LOVES HER STILL.MY GOD BLESS HER.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?