Asked about the possibility that he might re-tie the knot, Andrew said "I don't rule remarriage out and I certainly don't rule it in."

Andrew has been linked with several women, including Caprice

His comments are seen as significant because, although the idea of remarriage has been mooted several times before, this is the first time Andrew has spoken publicly about it.

Sarah voiced a similar belief in the same interview. "If it should happen, great. It is not in nor is it ruled out."

Such talk might be easily dismissed as a mere publicity stunt were it not for the fact Andrew and Sarah have lived under the same roof for the past three years.

The duchess moved back to the couple's married home, in Sunningdale, Berkshire, for the sake of daughters, Beatrice, 11, and Eugenie, 10. The duchess has called the arrangement "co-parenting".

We are the happiest divorced couple in the world, definitely

The Duchess of York

But they have made it clear they still greatly enjoy each other's company and, although they inhabit different quarters - the duchess is on the ground floor while the duke lives above her - commentators say they seem happier than many married couples.

Their aim has been to try and deliver as stable and normal an upbringing for the princesses, as possible.

Indeed, at times it sounds more like a real-life portrayal of the television comedy, The Royle Family, than the Royal Family.

The home where they lived when married, and now divorced

Asked in an interview last year whether she and the Andrew sit in the pyjamas watching TV together, Sarah replied: "Oh, absolutely, except we don't wear jimjams; we wear track suits."

There is a formal living room at Sunninghill, but family life seems to be centred beyond that in the informal heart of the house, where Beanie Babies scatter the floor and pictures of the princesses on holiday grace a relaxed family room.

Sarah has described herself and Andrew as "the happiest divorced couple in the world".

Despite the cosy arrangement, the pair clearly have their individual lives. The duke works as a commander at the Naval Staff Directorate - a job that earns him �45,000 on top of his civil list income of about �300,000.

Television work

The duchess, who was famously burdened by debts after her divorce, is said to be in the black and juggles several contracts, such as those with Weight Watchers, with whom she is a representative, and the American TV network NBC, as a special correspondent.

On quieter days, Sarah likes to work out on an exercise bike while watching television.

Are we in for a repeat performance?

Since their split the duke has been linked with a number of women, including the former model Caprice and Robert Maxwell's daughter Ghislaine.

In an interview last year, the duchess said she temporarily moved out for the night when he wished to entertain a girlfriend.

Yet they both make time, mostly at the weekend, to spend with the children. On occasion they are said to nip out to the local pub for a quiet supper.

Yet inevitably, there are difficulties in the relationship, especially over Christmas when they decamp to Sandringham to join the rest of the Royal Family.

Although the duchess speaks fondly of her relationship with the Queen and Queen Mother, relations with the Duke of Edinburgh are icy.

So while her ex-husband and the princesses gather at the main house for seasonal celebrations, the duchess is banished to a cottage in the grounds where she tends to watch black and white movies on television.