Sarah Ferguson is continuing with a passion project after announcing she had a mastectomy following a breast cancer diagnosis.
Two new “Storytime with Fergie and Friends” videos have been posted on the Duchess of York’s YouTube channel after her rep confirmed to PEOPLE on Sunday that she had undergone recent surgery. While the Duchess of York, popularly known as Fergie, is recuperating at the Royal Lodge, the content continues as multiple videos are recorded simultaneously before being released periodically.
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The Duchess, 63, began posting “Storytime with Fergie and Friends” videos on YouTube and Facebook in April 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. Fergie says she was inspired to record reading children’s books aloud at an uncertain time in the world, “all the kids out there need a little bit of magic.” The series has continued ever since and the Duchess always seems to be having fun in the footage, from dressing up to reading her own Little Red books.
The first video she posted after announcing her health news was perhaps a poignant choice. In a new episode released Monday, Fergie reads Where Happiness Begins by Eva Elan, a picture book about finding happiness in difficult times.
On Sunday, PEOPLE confirmed that the Duchess had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.
A spokesperson told PEOPLE, “Sarah, Duchess of York was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer during a routine mammogram screening. She was advised to undergo surgery, which was successful.”
“The Duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with her family,” they continued. “The Duchess wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days.”
“She is also hugely thankful to the staff involved in the mammogram which identified her illness, which was otherwise symptom-free, and believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening.”
She shared more on the latest episode of her podcast Tea Talks With The Duchess which Sarah recorded the day before her surgery and released on Monday. Fergie said that her sister Jane urged her to attend a routine mammogram appointment during an unrelated phone conversation, and urged others to keep up with regular screenings.
“I don’t mind if no one wants to hear from me. Because I’m telling you that I am doing this. I am telling people out there because I want everyone listening to this podcast to go get checked, get screened, and go do it,” she stressed.
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As Fergie continues resting, a source told PEOPLE that her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have been popping in to see her. The Duchess shares her adult daughters with her ex-husband Prince Andrew, whom she married from 1986 to 1996.
“Her daughters have been there a lot, they have been very supportive,” the source says.
Looking ahead, the podcaster and author’s doctors have told her to rest for five to six weeks. On Monday, Fergie thanked fans for their well-wishes on Instagram, posting a photo of a bright pink flower in the grass.
“Thank you so much for your kindness and support,” she captioned the snap.