Multiple charities in the United Kingdom have ended their associations with Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, following the release of an email in which she described the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as a “supreme friend.” The decision, announced on March 4, 2024, highlights the ongoing fallout from Ferguson’s past connections with Epstein.
One of the first organizations to sever ties was Julia’s House, a children’s hospice. A spokesperson confirmed that the email correspondence rendered it inappropriate for Ferguson, who holds the title of Duchess of York, to continue her patronage. “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 stated. They thanked her for her past contributions.
Other charities have followed suit. The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and Prevent Breast Cancer also distanced themselves from Ferguson, expressing concern over her past relationship with Epstein. The founders of the allergy charity, Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, released a statement saying, “We were disturbed to read of Sarah, Duchess of York’s, correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein. 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 associated with Ferguson for 35 years, also announced that they would no longer recognize her as a patron.
The controversy stems from a 2011 interview Ferguson gave to the Evening Standard, where she publicly apologized for accepting £15,000 from Epstein. In that interview, she expressed remorse, saying, “I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf.”
Subsequently, Ferguson reportedly sent an email to Epstein, apologizing for linking him to sexual abuse. In this message, she referred to him as “a steadfast, generous and supreme friend.” The authenticity of this email has not been independently verified, according to the Associated Press.
Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while in custody, faced federal charges related to sex trafficking at the time of his death. This latest development regarding Ferguson follows renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew’s own connections to Epstein. Recent reports, including leaked emails, indicate that Andrew maintained contact with Epstein until as late as 2015, contrary to his earlier claims that he had ceased all communication in December 2010.
The fallout from these connections has had severe implications for both Ferguson and Prince Andrew. The prince relinquished all royal duties and charity roles following a controversial 2019 interview with the BBC, where he faced criticism for attempting to minimize his ties to Epstein and failing to express sympathy for Epstein’s victims.
Both Ferguson and Andrew have been embroiled in scandals that raise questions about their roles within the British royal family. In recent months, concerns were also raised regarding Andrew’s ties to a suspected Chinese spy, further complicating his standing.
As the situation develops, Ferguson’s past actions continue to resonate within the charitable sector, prompting organizations to reassess their relationships with her in light of the ongoing revelations surrounding Epstein.
