Paddy, known publicly as a former partner of Sarah Ferguson, has died at the age of 88. The news is expected to be especially painful for the Duchess of York, with a friend indicating that she is not making any public comment for now.
His life was described as one lived at full speed, stretching from his beginnings in Gravesend, Kent, to a glamorous base in Verbier, Switzerland. The ski resort was a major part of that world, and he reportedly owned three chalets there, reflecting the scale and style of the life he went on to lead.
The contrast between his roots and his later surroundings helped shape his image as a colourful figure in well-connected social circles. From a modest English birthplace to one of Europe’s best-known luxury resorts, his story carried the kind of sweep that made him stand out.
With his death at 88, attention is also turning to those closest to him, especially Fergie, for whom the loss is said to be profound. For now, the response around her appears to be one of privacy rather than public reflection.
