Several charities in the United Kingdom have severed ties with Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, following the emergence of an email reportedly sent to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In this correspondence, Ferguson described Epstein as a “supreme friend,” prompting organizations to reconsider her role as a patron.
Julia’s House, a children’s hospice, announced on March 11, 2024, that Ferguson’s association had become untenable. A spokesperson conveyed that the charity found it inappropriate for her to maintain her patronage following the revelations surrounding her communication with Epstein. They expressed gratitude for her previous support but 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.”
This decision was echoed by The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and Prevent Breast Cancer, both of which expressed their disturbance at the content of Ferguson’s email. The founders of the food allergy charity, Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, noted in a statement, “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 a longstanding association with Ferguson for 35 years, also decided to part ways with her.
The controversy traces back to a 2011 interview with the Evening Standard, where 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. I am just so contrite I cannot say.” Ferguson also pledged to repay the money and dissociate from Epstein entirely.
Contradicting her previous statements, a subsequent email was sent to Epstein, in which she “humbly apologized” for linking him to sexual abuse. She wrote, “you have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family,” according to a report by The Sun. The authenticity of this email has not been independently verified.
Epstein, who faced federal sex trafficking charges, died by suicide in 2019 while in custody. The fallout from this latest revelation comes just weeks after Prince Andrew faced criticism for maintaining contact with Epstein longer than previously disclosed. Leaked emails revealed that Andrew had been in touch with Epstein as late as 2015, contradicting his earlier claims of cutting ties in December 2010.
Following a controversial interview with the BBC in 2019, Andrew was forced to relinquish all royal duties and charity roles. During that interview, he was criticized for attempting to downplay his connections to Epstein and failing to demonstrate sympathy for Epstein’s victims. The situation further escalated last year when it was reported that a suspected Chinese spy had developed close links with Andrew, raising concerns about potential influence on the royal family.
As the situation continues to unfold, the implications for both Ferguson and Prince Andrew remain significant, reflecting ongoing scrutiny of their associations and the broader impact of their actions on the royal family’s reputation.
