Sarah Ferguson’s new book is dedicated to her four grandchildren. The Duchess of York revealed that she uses writing as an “escape” from her two cancer diagnoses.

The Duchess of York, who uses her writing as an “escape” after two cancer diagnoses, has dedicated her new book to her four grandchildren, the Mail on Sunday has revealed.

Sarah Ferguson, 64, is now looking to the future after being diagnosed with breast cancer last summer and undergoing a mastectomy, only to be diagnosed with skin cancer six months later.

Although doctors have advised her not to use the term “cancer-free,” the outlook is positive and the Duchess will not need any further treatment.

Now she has written a new children’s book entitled “Flora and Fern: Wonders in the Forest,” which is due to be published in October.

The Duchess told the Mail on Sunday: “I wrote Flora and Fern for my grandchildren and also for my step-grandson Wolfie. It’s a special little story that encourages children to enjoy and respect nature and to use their imagination when playing.”

“The names Flora and Fern were chosen to promote a greater understanding of the importance of nature.”

In writing, she combined her roles as author and grandmother, testing out storylines on her four grandchildren: Princess Eugenie’s son August, three, and her younger son Ernest, one, and Princess Beatrice’s stepson Wolfie, eight, and her daughter Sienna, two.

A friend added: “Writing and being in nature are her two escapes. Both have helped her through the difficult times of the last year when she had to cope with two cancer diagnoses.

“She tries out all her stories on her grandchildren and is determined to build a small library for them to enjoy.”

The Duchess, who divorced the Duke of York in 1996, was recently welcomed back into the royal fold after speaking to King Charles about their shared cancer diagnosis.

This week she cancelled her headlining appearance at an Australian literary festival in October so as not to interfere with or disrupt the King and Queen’s state visit.