Ronald Ferguson

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Major Ronald Ivor Ferguson (October 10, 1931–March 16, 2003) was the father of Sarah Ferguson, former wife to Prince Andrew. He was polo manager initially to the Duke of Edinburgh and later for many years to the Prince of Wales.

Ronald was the second born son of Andrew Henry Ferguson (1899–1966) and his wife Marian Montagu-Douglas-Scott (1908–1996). He was born in London and grew up at Dummer Down Farm, his later home in adulthood, at Dummer in Hampshire. He attended Eton College and Sandhurst, and entered the Life Guards, serving with them in Egypt, Aden, and Cyprus. His elder brother John sadly passed away at 10 years of age from peritonitis.

Ferguson's first wife was Susan Wright. They married in St Margaret's Church on January 17, 1956. They had two daughters: Jane Louisa, born on August 26, 1957, and Sarah Margaret, later the Duchess of York, born on October 15, 1959. They divorced in 1974. During their marriage the Fergusons were recognised society figures. The Major retired from his army career and his family moved to Dummer Down Farm which he inherited upon his father's death. It also left him more time to devote to another passion, polo.

His interest in polo frequently brought him into contact with the Royal Family, and through this connection his daughter Sarah met Prince Andrew.

In 1975, Ferguson married for the second time to Susan Deptford. They had three children, Andrew (b. 1978), Alice (b. 1980), and Elizabeth (Eliza) (b. 1985).

In the late 1980s while his daughter, Sarah, was married to the Duke of York, Ferguson was embroiled in controversy of a personal nature. It did not affect his marriage however it led him to leave his post as Prince Charles's polo manager and his position at the Guard's Polo Club. His rare media appearances were to defend his daughter Sarah and raise awareness of prostate cancer.In 1994 he published his autobiography, The Galloping Major.

Ferguson battled with cancer for some years of his life. Initially it was reported to be skin cancer but later developed prostate cancer. In March 2003 he died of a heart attack at The Hampshire Clinic, Basingstoke, Hampshire, England. He was reinstated with the Life Guards Club shortly before he died. Prince Charles also attended his private funeral.