Major Ronald Ferguson dies of heart attack

Major Ronald Ferguson, father of the Duchess of York, died last night after a heart attack.

The Major, 71, 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 Down Farm, Hampshire.

The Queen has been informed and will be be sending a private message of condolence to the Major's widow, said Buckingham Palace.

The Duke of York was said to be "deeply saddened" by the news, as was the Prince of Wales, for whom the Major acted as polo manager for several years.

A spokeswoman for the Duchess said: "She is grieving but is grateful for the time she had with her father to say goodbye."

The Duchess, nicknamed Fergie, will carry out commitments in Australia for WeightWatchers but will return home early at the end of the week.

A friend said: "This is exactly what the Major would have wanted. He was very much in the mould of 'the show must go on'.

"The Duchess's flight to Australia had already taken off when her father died and she was told the news during a stop-over at Bangkok.

Before leaving on her business trip, accompanied by her elder sister Jane, she had visited her father in the clinic.

The Major's second wife Susan was with him when he died.

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