Seven charities have removed the Duchess of York as patron after it emerged she had apologised to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein for disowning him and called him a “supreme friend”.
The duchess was first dropped as patron of children’s charity Julia's House on Monday, followed by the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, Prevent Breast Cancer, the Teenage Cancer Trust, the Children’s Literacy Charity, the British Heart Foundation and the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals.
Julia’s House said: “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.”
In a statement, Natasha Allergy Research Foundation founders Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse said: "We were disturbed to read of Sarah, Duchess of York's, correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein.
"Sarah Ferguson has not been actively involved with the charity for some years.
"She was a patron, but in the 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.
"We would like to thank her for her kindness and support in the past."
In a statement, Prevent Breast Cancer said: "The Duchess of York is no longer a patron of Prevent Breast Cancer.
"We have advised her of this decision and thank her for her past support."
The ex-wife of the Duke of York's email to Epstein, dated April 26, 2011, came weeks after she told reporters she would "never have anything to do with" the sex offender again, according to reports.
The message, reported by The Sun newspaper, showed the duchess “humbly apologised” to Epstein for linking him to paedophilia in the media, labelling him “steadfast” and “generous”.
Her spokesman said it was sent “in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats”.
A spokesperson for Teenage Cancer Trust said: “We have made the decision to end our relationship with the Duchess of York, and as of today she is no longer a patron of Teenage Cancer Trust. We have communicated this decision to the Duchess.
“We would like to thank the Duchess of York for her support.”
The Children's Literacy Charity said her continued involvement with the organisation would be “inappropriate” following “the recent information which has come to light about the Duchess of York and Jeffrey Epstein.”
A spokesperson for the British Heart Foundation said: "Sarah, Duchess of York, is no longer serving as an ambassador for the British Heart Foundation.
"We are grateful for the duchess' support for our work and thank her for her past efforts to help us save and improve lives by funding pioneering research into cardiovascular disease."
The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals said the duchess would “step back from her position as patron with immediate effect.”
The duchess's interview with the Evening Standard on March 7 2011 saw her apologise for accepting £15,000 from Epstein.
She told the newspaper: “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.
“Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.”
Reports have said that a little over a month later, the duchess could be seen sending an email from her private account to the sex offender, apologising to him and telling him she was “bedridden with fear”.
Her message read: “I know you feel hellaciously let down by me.
“And I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that.
“You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family."
It continued: “I am apologising to you today for not replying to your email or reaching out to you. I was bedridden with fear. I was paralysed.
“I was advised in no uncertain terms, to have nothing to do with you and to not speak or email you.
“And if I did - I would cause more problems to you, the Duke and myself. I was broken and lost.
“So please understand. I didn't want to hurt Andrew one more time. I was in over-riding fear. I am sorry."
The duchess's spokesman said Epstein had threatened to sue her for defamation after associating him with paedophilia.
The spokesman said: “The duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been, her first thoughts are with his victims.
“Like many people, she was taken in by his lies.
“As soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations against him, she not only cut off contact but condemned him publicly, to the extent that he then threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia.
“She does not resile from anything she said then.
“This email was sent in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats."
Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex-trafficking charges.
