Miss Sarah Ferguson, the bride of Prince Andrew who was created Duke of York the same day, on the arm of her father Major Ronald Ferguson, as they arrived for their long walk through Westminster Abbey. * 16/03/03 Major Ronald Ferguson, who has died aged 71, and his daughter, the Duchess of York, on her wedding day. The Major had been battling against prostate cancer since 1996 and had suffered a series of heart attacks. The Duchess, who was said to be 'grieving', was on her way to Australia when her father died in The Hampshire Clinic, Basingstoke, close to the family home at Dummer.