The Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson has pushed her visit to Perth back a few weeks because of concerns her presence would “distract or detract” from King Charles’ October tour of the Eastern States.
The Duchess was due to attend the Festival of Fiction at ECU Joondalup on October 19 — an event that had sold out and had a waitlist of more than 200 people, but will instead appear at Joondalup Resort in November.
“With regret, Sarah, Duchess of York has decided to withdraw from the Festival of Fiction, so as not to distract or detract in any way from the tour of Australia by His Majesty the King, which has recently been announced,” her team said in a statement.
“Due to exceptional demand, she will be returning to Perth on November 1 at 6.30pm for a special event at Joondalup Resort and apologises to anyone who is inconvenienced by the change of date.”
The festival says over 200 people were on a waitlist to see the event’s guests, including the Duchess, to discuss all things fiction on October 19.
Ms Ferguson has authored more than 55 books across a variety of genres, from adult romance to self-help.
She was expected to use the event to promote her latest work, children’s picture book The Gift of Kindness, published by Perth literary house, Serenity Press.
The Duchess will now have the November book signing and be interviewed in front of an audience at Joondalup Resort — with festival ticketholders granted free entry to the new event.
Festival of Fiction will continue with contributions from a collection of best-selling authors despite her withdrawal.
A replacement author is expected to be announced on Wednesday.
It comes after King Charles and Queen Camilla locked in a visit to New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Their October visit will be a short one, with a Buckingham Palace spokesman saying the tour won’t include a visit to New Zealand — or WA — following his cancer diagnosis in January.
“The King’s doctors have advised that a further extension to Their Majesties’ trip should be avoided at this time, to prioritise His Majesty’s continued recovery,” the spokesman said.
“As with all His Majesty’s recent engagements, his program in both countries will be subject to doctors’ advice, and any necessary modifications on health grounds.”