Sarah, Duchess of York Queen's permission (which, at that time, was required by the Royal Marriages Act 1772, for all descendants of King George II), Andrew and Sarah were married in Westminster Abbey on 23 July 1986. The Queen bestowed the title Duke of York upon Prince Andrew, and, as his new wife, Sarah automatically assumed her husband's royal and ducal status and became "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of York". As Duchess of York, Sarah joined her husband in carrying out royal engagements, including official overseas visits. In 1987, the Duke and Duchess of York undertook a 25-day tour of Canada. On 22
Sarah, Duchess of York more to bring shame on the family than could ever have been imagined". After four years of official separation, the Duke and Duchess announced the mutual decision to divorce in May 1996. In the years after her divorce, the Duchess claimed that she had received £15,000 a year as a divorce settlement and cited her deal as a spokeswoman with Weight Watchers as her main "source of income". However, subsequent information given by senior officials to "The Sunday Telegraph" revealed that Sarah had received a lump sum settlement of £3 million. The couple shared the custody of their children. By