Several charities in the United Kingdom have severed ties with Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, following the publication of an email in which she reportedly referred to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as a “supreme friend.” This decision reflects growing concerns about Ferguson’s association with Epstein, who died in 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges.
On March 11, 2024, Julia’s House, a children’s hospice, announced that Ferguson’s continued role as a patron was no longer appropriate. A spokesperson stated, “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. We have advised the Duchess of York of this decision and thank her for her past support.”
The fallout did not end there; other organizations such as The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and Prevent Breast Cancer also opted to cut their associations with Ferguson. In a joint statement, founders Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse expressed their distress at her correspondence with Epstein, noting, “Sarah Ferguson has not been actively involved with the charity for some years… 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, followed suit and removed her as a patron. This series of decisions underscores the repercussions Ferguson faces as details surrounding her past interactions with Epstein come to light.
The controversy traces back to a 2011 interview with the Evening Standard in which Ferguson publicly apologized 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.” Ferguson also promised to repay the money and sever ties with Epstein entirely.
In a stark contrast, the email released by the Sun newspaper revealed that the following month, Ferguson wrote to Epstein, “you have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family,” while also apologizing for linking him to sexual abuse. The authenticity of this email has not been independently verified by the Associated Press.
Ferguson’s recent troubles come just weeks after Prince Andrew faced renewed scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein, as leaked emails indicated they remained in contact until at least 2015, five years longer than previously claimed. In a 2019 interview with the BBC, Andrew stated that he ceased all contact with Epstein in December 2010 after Epstein pleaded guilty to sex crimes in Florida.
Both Andrew and Ferguson have been embroiled in a series of scandals, raising questions about their attempts to leverage royal status for personal gain. Andrew was stripped of his royal duties and charity roles following his controversial BBC interview, during which he was criticized for downplaying his connections to Epstein and failing to express sympathy for the victims.
The situation escalated last year when reports emerged that a suspected Chinese spy had developed close ties with Andrew, prompting further concerns about potential influences on the royal family. As the fallout continues, the reputations of both Ferguson and Andrew remain under intense scrutiny.
