Two British papers have revealed an email said to have been sent by the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, describing him as a “supreme friend” even though she had just publicly distanced herself from him.
The Sun and the Mail on Sunday reported the email was from 2011, only weeks after the duchess had told the world she would never have anything to do with Epstein again.
A spokesperson for Ferguson, the former wife of Prince Andrew, said the email was written only because Epstein had threatened to sue her for defamation.
In 2011 she had already admitted her dealings with him were a “gigantic error of judgment.” At the time she had been adamant: “I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children. I cannot state more strongly that I know a terrible, terrible error of judgement was made, my having anything to do with Jeffrey Epstein. What he did was wrong and for which he was rightly jailed.”
Epstein had been sentenced three years earlier for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Despite that, the email unearthed by The Sun and the Mail on Sunday shows Ferguson reassuring him. “As you know, I did not, absolutely not, say the ‘P word’ about you but understand it was reported that I did,” she wrote. “I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family.”
Her spokesperson explained the message as an attempt to dissuade him from legal action. “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.”
The spokesperson stressed Ferguson stood by her public condemnation of Epstein. “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, the wealthy financier with powerful connections, killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial in New York on charges of sex trafficking. His circle had included presidents, royals, and high-profile figures in business and politics.
Prince Andrew’s ties to Epstein eventually ended in disgrace. The duke was accused of sexually abusing a woman introduced to him by Epstein, a claim he settled out of court with no admission of liability. The scandal led to him stepping down from royal duties and losing his military roles and charitable patronages.
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In recent months, more revelations about Epstein’s links to prominent figures have continued to emerge. His post-conviction friendship with Lord Mandelson was cited as one of the reasons behind Mandelson being removed as Britain’s ambassador to the US.
The renewed spotlight on Ferguson’s email comes amid a wider release of Epstein-related documents by a US congressional panel, exposing further details of his network and the influence he wielded even after his conviction.
