The Duchess of York sent a flattering email to Jeffrey Epstein after he allegedly threatened to “destroy her” in a “Hannibal Lecter-like call”, according to her aide.
Sarah Ferguson, ex-wife to Prince Andrew, has come under fire in recent days after it emerged that she had sent an email in 2011 referring to the late convicted sex offender as her “supreme friend” and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.
The Duchess had already given an apology interview in March that year, taking accountability for the “terrible, terrible error of judgment” in associating with him and accepting money from him. She promised she would have “nothing to do” with him ever again.
But the following month, Ferguson sent Epstein a message, in which she said: “from the truth of my heart” she must “humbly apologise.”
Several charities said on Monday they had severed ties with The Duchess of York, saying it would be “inappropriate” for her to continue as a patron in light of the revelation.
However, a spokesperson for The Duchess told The Telegraph that Epstein was incensed by her description of him as a paedophile and made a “chilling” phone call in which he threatened to take legal action.
James Henderson, her spokesperson and advisor, told the newspaper he could “remember everything about that call”, claiming the disgraced financer threatened to “destroy” the York family and spoke in a “cold and calm” manner, reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter.
Mr Henderson saved Epstein’s phone number to make sure that if he ever called him again he would know not to pick it up, the newspaper reported.
It was the only conversation or exchange he had ever had with him.
Mr Henderson told the newspaper it was “understandable” that the Duchess had sent off the email, expressing her regret at offending Epstein, given his threatening behaviour.
The Duchess’ spokesperson previously 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.”
The Duke of York has already been taken out of public duty, following a controversial Newsnight interview in which he failed to express regret for keeping in contact with Epstein even after his sentencing.
It is understood that the Duchess received £15,000 from Epstein to cover her debts. In a 2011 interview with the Standard, she said that accepting his money was “a gigantic error of judgment”, which left her “so contrite I cannot say.”
