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Pictured: Is Sarah Ferguson ready to go public about her relationship with Findus tycoon?
Updated 11:31am on 7 Jul 2008
Friends say they have been seeing each other during the last year.
Meanwhile The Duchess of York and Findus frozen foods tycoon Geir Frantzen have always gone to great lengths to avoid being pictured together, despite being spotted on late-night meals and holidays away together.
But the pair have now been pictured enjoying a relaxed day out at the Silverstone Grand Prix on Sunday, suggesting the two are ready to go public about a relationship which until now has always been denied.
Smiling in each other's company: The Duchess of York and Geir Frantzen, enjoying the Grand Prix on Sunday
Warm: The Duchess of York and Geir Franzen together at Silverstone
The 48-year-old, ex-wife of Prince Andrew, has in the past insisted the couple are just 'very good friends'.
When asked about the status of their relationship in May, the duchess's spokesman would not be drawn about any romance, but added: 'Their friendship has grown.
'It is not up to me to confirm or deny anything. No one has anything to hide here.'
Sunday's relaxed behaviour comes as a sharp contrast to two occasions in the last week, when the couple were unwilling to be pictured together outside the Dorchester Hotel's China Tang last Monday and last Thursday night.
Only last Monday, Sarah Ferguson and Geir Franzen went to great lengths to avoid being spotted leaving The Dorchester together
... And again the couple again leave China Tang separately, last Thursday night
However sources say they have grown close since they met nearly two years ago, and the pair have regularly been spotted enjoying dinner dates - with China Tang and the Capriana restaurant being favoured haunts.
The pair have also been on holidays together and neighbours of Mr Frantzen say the duchess and her two daughters have visited him regularly at his London penthouse.
Sources also say that Mr Frantzen has stayed at the duchess' home in Surrey.
Dinner date: The duchess and Mr Frantzen leave the China Tang restaurant at The Dorchester in May
The pair have also been on holidays together and neighbours of Mr Frantzen say the duchess and her two daughters have visited him regularly at his London penthouse.
Mr Frantzen is also said to have stayed at the duchess' home in Surrey.
