Wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson by "The New York Times". A number of ceremonies and parties were held at different places by the public to celebrate the occasion across the United Kingdom. The wedding was widely broadcast on television and radio in many countries, and news channels covered the ceremony in different languages. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, "the groom's grandmother" Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, "the groom's great-aunt by marriage" It was reported that Andrew's obligations as a naval helicopter pilot meant that they only saw each other 40 days a year. Sarah received criticism from the media about her weight, contributing to her
Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough she was more capable of business than any man. Although she never came to like Blenheim Palace – describing it as "that great heap of stones" – she became more enthusiastic about its construction and wrote to the Duke of Somerset about the new waterworks: "I believe it will be beautiful. The Canal and Bason (which is already don[e]) look very fine. There is to be a lake & a cascade ... which I think will bee a great addition to the place". The Duchess of Marlborough fought against anything she thought was undue extravagance. She wrote to the Duke