Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, wrote to Jeffrey Epstein calling him a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend” after claiming to have cut ties with him, according to reports.
The Sun on Sunday published an email showing the Duchess contacted Epstein in 2011 after he was convicted for child sex offences.
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.”
In the email, she said: “I now you must feel hellaciously let down by me,” reinforcing that she had not used “the p word” [paedophilia] in her interview renouncing him. She reiterated “You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family.”
It has been reported that at the time, Epstein was levelling aggressive threats at the Duchess after the interview and she claims she had been advised to tell him whatever was necessary to reduce the possibility of him filing a lawsuit against her.
The Duchess’ spokesperson 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.”
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.”
She said “I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf.”
In an email she sent to Epstein two months later, she wrote “I did not use the P word about you.”
She alleges that she had been told to act with the “utmost speed” to save her career writing children’s books and reputation as a philanthropist.
This email was revealed just days after both the Duke and Duchess made an appearance at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral, which took place at Westminster Cathedral.
According to the emails published by both newspapers, she wrote: “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 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.
