Charities Sever Ties with Sarah Ferguson After Epstein Email Surfaces
Several charities in the United Kingdom have cut ties with Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and ex-wife of Prince Andrew, following the publication of an email she reportedly sent to the late Jeffrey Epstein. The email, published in British newspapers, described Epstein as a "supreme friend."
Charities React to the Email
Julia's House, a children's hospice, was among the first to announce its decision. The charity stated that the reported correspondence made it inappropriate for Ferguson, also known as the Duchess of York, to remain a patron. The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and Prevent Breast Cancer have also severed ties.
"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," – Julia's House statement.
The Teenage Cancer Trust, associated with Ferguson for 35 years, also dropped her. The charities are acting amid concerns about Ferguson's past relationship with the convicted sex offender.
Ferguson's Explanation and Previous Apology
A spokesperson for Ferguson stated that she sent the email on the advice of her lawyers after Epstein threatened to sue her for associating him with sexual abuse in a media interview. The email references a 2011 interview with the Evening Standard newspaper, in which she apologized for accepting £15,000 (approximately $28,000 CDN) from Epstein.
In the 2011 interview, Ferguson said, "I abhor pedophilia 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. Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again."
However, the following month, Ferguson sent the email to Epstein, reportedly apologizing for linking him to sex abuse and calling him a "steadfast, generous and supreme friend." The Associated Press has not independently verified the authenticity of the email.
Prince Andrew's Connection and Epstein's Background
Ferguson's former husband, Prince Andrew, has also faced scrutiny for his ties to Epstein. Andrew was forced to give up royal duties following a disastrous BBC interview in 2019, where he failed to adequately address concerns about his relationship with Epstein and show sympathy for his victims.
Epstein died in prison in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was officially ruled a suicide. He had previously received a controversial plea deal in 2008 in Florida that allowed him to avoid federal charges for soliciting prostitution.
