Several charities have severed ties with Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, following the publication of an email in which she referred to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as a “supreme friend.” This decision by the charities, including Julia’s House, comes after British media reported on her correspondence with Epstein, raising significant concerns about her suitability as a patron.
Julia’s House, a children’s hospice, stated that the email made her continued role as a patron inappropriate. A spokesperson for Ferguson indicated that she had sent the email on the advice of her lawyers after Epstein threatened legal action regarding her comments about him in a media interview.
“Following the information shared this weekend on the Duchess of York’s correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, Julia’s House has taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue as a patron of the charity,” the organization announced. “We have advised the Duchess of York of this decision and thank her for her past support.”
Other organizations have followed suit. The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and Prevent Breast Cancer also cut their ties with Ferguson, citing the disturbing nature of her correspondence. The founders of the food allergy charity expressed their dismay, stating, “Sarah Ferguson has not been actively involved with the charity for some years. She was a patron but, in light of the recent revelations, we have taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue to be associated with the charity.”
The Teenage Cancer Trust, which had maintained a relationship with Ferguson for 35 years, also ended its patronage.
In the email, Ferguson referred to a March 2011 interview with the Evening Standard, in which she expressed regret for accepting £15,000 from Epstein. She stated, “I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf. I am just so contrite I cannot say.” She pledged to repay the money and distance herself from Epstein.
Despite this commitment, Ferguson later sent an email to Epstein in which she “humbly apologized” for linking him to sexual abuse, affirming, “you have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family,” as reported by The Sun. The authenticity of this email has not been independently verified by Associated Press.
Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while in custody facing federal sex trafficking charges, has been a controversial figure linked to numerous scandals involving high-profile individuals. The recent disclosures regarding Ferguson come shortly after Andrew faced criticism for maintaining contact with Epstein longer than previously disclosed. Leaked email correspondence indicated that Andrew had been in touch with Epstein as late as 2015, despite having publicly stated that he ceased communication in December 2010 after Epstein pleaded guilty to sex crimes in Florida.
Both Ferguson and Andrew have been embroiled in scandals that have raised questions about their conduct and connections. Following a widely scrutinized interview with the BBC in 2019, Andrew stepped back from public duties, facing backlash for his attempts to downplay his connections with Epstein while failing to express sympathy for Epstein’s victims.
The implications of these associations extend beyond personal reputations, impacting charity organizations and raising broader questions about accountability within the royal family.