The Duchess of York, 61, feels she has “gotten out of my own way” and embraced herself. Sarah’s debut novel, ‘Her Heart for a Compass’, is about her ancestor Lady Margaret Montagu Douglas Scott, and will be released on August 3.

       In researching her family history for her novel, the Duchess said she found out more about herself.

       She said: “It's like I've gotten out of my own way. I've really become Sarah.

       “The Duchess is there. Good old Fergie's there too. But Sarah is authentically present.

       “In researching her, I found out more about my own DNA, and I found that resilience and courage and sense of hope and optimism.

       "I am a full-blown Celtic redhead, and that comes with a great enthusiasm for life, great spontaneity, and also — you just fight on."

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       Speaking to People magazine, the Duchess admitted she comes across as a “big hurricane”.

       She told the outlet: “When you have a sense of humour and you're a redhead, everyone takes you for a big hurricane.

       "But sometimes, you don't always want to be the storm."

       She ended the interview by saying: “I have to be aware that trying to be perfect is no longer necessary, and that actually being Sarah is just enough."

       The Duchess also spoke in her interview about how “proud” Princess Diana would have been of Prince William and Prince Harry.

       She said: “She would be very proud of her sons and their wives.

       "And she would be just like me, obsessed with her grandchildren. Because that's what she loved."

       Sarah also said Diana “adored” Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, and added: “We were best friends from when she was 14 and I was 15.”

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       In February 2020, Sarah signed a seven-book publishing deal with Serenity Press.

       Karen McDermott, Serenity Press publisher, said at the time: "We are delighted to welcome the duchess to our press.

       “Her beautiful books are aligned with our core value of sharing nurturing stories that empower young minds.

       “We cannot wait to bring these books into readers' hands."