Talk Fueled by Mother’s Arrival : Gossip Has ‘Randy Andy,’ Sarah Heading Down Aisle

The mother of Prince Andrew’s red-haired friend Sarah Ferguson flew into London today, fueling speculation that Buckingham Palace is preparing to announce the couple’s engagement.

Society columnist Nigel Dempster reported that Andrew, 26, and fourth in line to the throne, and Ferguson, also 26, were already engaged.

Susan Barrantes, who left Sarah’s father 12 years ago for an Argentine polo star, flew into Heathrow Airport from Miami. She told a crowd of reporters and photographers: “I’m sorry. I’ve nothing to say to you today.”

BBC television court reporter Michael Cole said: “I think there will be an (engagement) announcement. Thursday is not a bad day to put your money on.”

But the palace had no comment on the engagement speculation.

Dempster wrote in the Daily Mail: “The queen and Prince Philip returned on Friday from a tour of Australia to discover the five-month relationship between Andrew and flame-haired Sarah had become a true love affair.”

Other reports said Ferguson had lunch Sunday with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle.

Andrew, once known as “Randy Andy,” has had a long string of girlfriends, including former soft-porn film actress Koo Stark, and is currently on leave from the Royal Navy.

The blue-blooded Ferguson can trace her ancestry back to Charles II. But a few eyebrows have been raised because of two previous love affairs, including one with motor racing figure Paddy McNally, 48, a widower with two teen-age sons.

Dempster said that last October Ferguson asked McNally whether he had any intention of marrying her and gave him five days to make up his mind. McNally decided he was too set in his bachelor ways and within days Ferguson was going out with helicopter pilot Andrew, the columnist said.