London: A number of charities have severed ties with Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, after British newspapers published an email that she reportedly wrote to late convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein, describing him as a “supreme friend”.
Julia’s House, a children’s hospice, said that the reported correspondence made it inappropriate for Ferguson, also known as the Duchess of York, to remain a patron.
The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, at Windsor Castle in April.Credit: AP
“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 charity said.
“We have advised the Duchess of York of this decision and thank her for her past support.”
A food allergy charity – The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation – and Prevent Breast Cancer were also among the charities that cut ties in light of recent revelations. The Teenage Cancer Trust, which had an association with Ferguson for 35 years, has also dropped her as a patron.
The email referred to a 2011 interview with The Evening Standard newspaper in which she apologised for accepting £15,000 ($31,000) from Epstein.
Jeffrey Epstein in 2004.Credit: Getty Images
“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 said in the interview. “Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.”
But the following month, Ferguson sent an email to Epstein in which she “humbly apologised” for linking him to sex abuse, saying “you have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family”, The Sun newspaper reported over the weekend.
