Looking back at Fergie's exuberant 1990s Mum style, in pictures

Congratulations to Princess Eugenie, who has given birth to a baby boy. This means that Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, is now a grandmother. If the success of her YouTube videos(in which she excitedly reads children's stories)is anything to go by, her new grandson is in for plenty of fun Granny time.

Congratulations to Princess Eugenie, who has given birth to a baby boy. This means that Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, is now a grandmother. If the success of her YouTube videos (in which she excitedly reads children's stories) is anything to go by, her new grandson is in for plenty of fun Granny time.

Whatever her other foibles, no one can accuse Fergie, as Prince Andrew's ex-wife is affectionately known, of being anything other than an exuberantly joyful mother herself. The Queen is said to have kept up cordial relations with her former daughter-in-law because she so admired the way she had brought up Eugenie and and her older sister, Beatrice. 

One way that Fergie expressed her attitude to motherhood was through her fashion choices. There are dozens of brilliant pictures from the late '80s and early '90s which show her revelling in her role, whether she is on the school run, dressing to match her daughters at a special event, or having fun with boldly coloured skiwear on the slopes. It's clear in these images that the Duchess enjoyed experimenting with clothes, both for herself and for her young daughters, conscious of the family image which would be projected when they were pictured together. 

As Princess Eugenie embarks on motherhood, she may even like to look back at her own mother's inimitable approach to Mum style....

Leaving hospital

 The 'leaving hospital moment has become a key part of modern royal family imagery. When Princess Beatrice was born in August 1988, Fergie appeared outside the Portland Hospital wearing a loose, dropped-waist navy summer dress...

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York, leave Portland Hospital, London, with their newborn daughter Princess Beatrice Credit: Hulton Royals

When Princess Eugenie arrived in March 1990, Sarah swerved to power dressing, donning this pink, black and white jacket and a voluminous perm to introduce her second daughter. Note how Fergie's jacket sleeves match Andrew's tie.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York leave the Portland Hospital with the newborn Princess Eugenie Credit: Hulton

On the school run

Today, the young royals are left to go to and from school without press intrusion, but when Beatrice and Eugenie, and their cousins Prince William and Prince Harry, were children, photographers often captured them on the school run. Fergie's looks for dropping her daughters off ranged from the practical to the quirky. 

The Duchess of York carries Princess Eugenie Credit: Rex

 Here, the Duchess tries out the double-denim trend

The Duchess of York bring Princess Eugenie to school Credit: Shutterstock

There's a matchy-matchy feel to this  look as Princess Eugenie and her mother coordinate in white tops, printed skirts, white socks and dark shoes

The Duchess Of York with Princess Eugenie after dropping off Princess Beatrice at school. Credit: Shutterstock

 In this instance, Fergie has gone for a sportier look with a turquoise tracksuit and trainers.

The Duchess of York with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie Credit: Shutterstock

For Princess Beatrice's first day at Upton House School in Windsor, Fergie wore a military-inspired jacket, printed mini skirt and two-tone ballet pumps.

Princess Eugenie's first day at school Credit: Tim Graham

On the slopes

 The Yorks enjoyed regular ski holidays which led to plenty of photo opportunities in the snow. In this picture, taken at Klosters in Switzerland, Fergie and her daughters are coordinated in uplifting shades of purple.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie on holiday In Klosters with their mother, The Duchess Of York.  Credit: Getty

 In this portrait, taken in Verbier in 1998, Fergie has chosen a ski suit in a vibrant shade of turquoise.

The Duke and Duchess of York, with their daughters, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie, on a ski holiday in Verbier Credit: Getty

Out and about

From country shows to holidays and sports days, the Yorks were regularly pictured enjoying normal family activities together. In these contexts, Fergie was able to show her instinctive flair for maximalist style. In this first photo, the Duchess of York is in casual mode, wearing a rugby shirt and jeans as she takes a drive with her mother.

The Duchess of York with her mother Susan Barrantes and Princess Beatrice Credit:  Rafael WOLLMANN/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Fergie's attention to detail is something to behold.  Here she is pictured in Switzerland with her daughters - the Duchess's pink blouse matches the caps worn by Beatrice and Eugenie.

Sarah Ferguson arrives in Klosters with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie Credit: Antonio RIBEIRO DE SOUZA/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

This picture of Sarah and her daughters was also taken in Switzerland. The checked, fringed jacket which Fergie wears would still be considered fashionable today. 

Fergie with her young daughters on holiday in Switzerland Credit: Getty

The Yorks have got '90s summer dressing down pat in this photo taken at a horse show. Many elements of Fergie's look would still be seen in fair weather wardrobes now, including the white plimsolls and spotty skirt. 

At The Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead Credit: Getty

 Fergie's printed shirt is doing all the talking in this snap.

The York family attend the Royal Windsor Horse Show Credit: Getty

 If you want to look coordinated rather than matchy-matchy with your children then take a leaf out of Fergie's playbook and wear similar items in different colours, like these timeless floral sundresses.

Sarah, Beatrice and Eugenie at Heathrow Credit: Rex

 More great summer dress action from both the Duchess of York and Princess Eugenie

The Duke and Duchess of York and Princess Eugenie at Princess Beatrice's sports day Credit: Shutterstock

On the day that the Yorks' divorce was finalised in 1996, Fergie, Beatrice and Eugenie put on a casually-dressed united front at Hickstead Showground. This is definitely one of Sarah's more pared-back looks.

The Duchess of York with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie   Credit: Shutterstock

 Another double-denim moment...

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and her daughter, Princess Beatrice at the Royal Windsor Horse Show Credit: Getty

 Another Windsor Horse Show snap. This time, Fergie has opted for an elegant cream and navy colour palette. The jumper tied around the shoulders trick is pure posh.

The Duchess Of York with her daughter Princess Eugenie at The Royal Windsor Horse Show Credit: Getty

All dressed up

 The Duchess of York's flamboyant style really comes to the fore with her more formal outfits. Here she is in striking emerald green at the christening of Princess Beatrice.

Princess Beatrice is christened at the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace Credit: Tim Graham

In December 1990, Princess Eugenie was christened at Sandringham. Fergie chose a dramatic turban hat - a style also seen on Diana, Princess of Wales. 

The royal family at Sandringham Credit: Tim Graham

 When Beatrice and Eugenie acted as bridesmaids, Fergie matched their ruffled dresses with her double-breasted, gold-buttoned blazer. 

The Duchess of York, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice at the wedding of their former nanny Alison Wardley Credit: Shutterstock

 In 1994, Sarah and her daughters once again complemented one another as they attended a wedding together.

Sarah, Beatrice and Eugenie at the wedding of Helen Webb Credit: Shutterstock

Fergie didn't always coordinate with her girls. While they're in sweet florals here, she has donned one of her favourite navy double-breasted jackets.

The Duchess of York with her daughters in matching floral dresses Credit: Shutterstock

For a festive visit to the The Richmond Theatre, Fergie and her daughters were all dressed in smart riding coats with the Duchess's tartan version taking centre-stage.

The Duchess Of York with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie after watching Peter Pan Credit: Tim Graham

 Our final picture is another trio of riding coats. Fergie went tonal with her girls as she took them to the premiere of A Little Princess in 1996. This was one of her sleekest Mum dressing moments.  

The Duchess of York attends a charity premiere of 'A Little Princess' in London, with her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie Credit: Hulton

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