The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, is facing renewed scrutiny after seven major charities cut ties with her. This comes after a 2011 email surfaced where she referred to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as her “supreme friend,” contradicting her earlier public condemnation of him.
According to BBC News and Reuters, the email, revealed by Mail on Sunday and The Sun, appeared to apologize to Epstein for publicly criticizing him. It has reignited debate over the duchess’s past associations, particularly as she had previously described her involvement with Epstein as a “gigantic error of judgment.”
Prominent organizations—including Julia’s House Children’s Hospice, Teenage Cancer Trust, Prevent Breast Cancer, The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, The British Heart Foundation, and others—announced her removal as patron or ambassador. Julia’s House called her continued association “inappropriate,” while Teenage Cancer Trust ended a 35-year relationship with her.
A spokesperson for the Duchess stated that the email was sent under legal advice to prevent a threatened defamation lawsuit from Epstein and does not reflect her current views. They added that Sarah Ferguson deeply regrets her past association with Epstein.
The scandal has caused significant damage to her public image. Prince Andrew, her former husband, had already stepped down from royal duties following his own controversial ties with Epstein, including photographs taken after Epstein’s release from prison.
The UK royal family now faces renewed public pressure to distance itself from lingering Epstein connections. Analysts suggest this incident could jeopardize any future return of the Duke and Duchess of York to royal events.
For more details on this developing story, read reports from BBC News and Reuters.
