Sarah Ferguson has greeted fans and signed copies of her latest children's book in an appearance at a Sydney bookstore. The Duchess of York, 65, is touring Australia to promote her book Flora & Fern: Wonder in the Woods, which adds to her catalogue of more than 70 titles. "I really have to take my hat off to the First Nations people, the Aboriginal people and culture because it was them that gave me the idea to write about rabbits, flora and - I wanted to call her Fauna," she told Channel Seven on Thursday.

"Everything is very spiritual. "It's always about what's the message ..

. they go off on their journey through the woods to try and find all the ingredients for their party ..

. they make friends with the hedgehog which is exactly what we should all do more of (making friends)." The duchess met dozens of fans during an appearance at Dymocks on George Street in the Sydney CBD on Thursday.

Another book, Fabulous Food Art, a collaboration between the Duchess and TikTok sensation Laleh Mohmedi, will be published in November. Ferguson's publisher said the Australian visit "allows her to share her insights and experiences with her Australian readership and reinforces her dedication to promoting literature and the arts in the region". Ferguson married Prince Andrew in 1986.

The couple share daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie and four grandchildren. Although the Duke and Duchess of York divorced in 1996, Ferguson lives with her ex-husband at Royal Lodge in Windsor Grea.