Charity Fallout: Sarah Ferguson's Links to Jeffrey Epstein Result in Multiple Patronage Losses

Tue Sep 23 2025 09:13:10 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Duchess of York faces backlash as seven charities withdraw support following the release of a troubling email linking her to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson has faced a significant backlash as multiple charities have dropped her as a patron or ambassador in the wake of an email revealing her past affection for Jeffrey Epstein. Seven organizations, including the Teenage Cancer Trust and the British Heart Foundation, severed ties after it surfaced that Ferguson referred to Epstein as a 'supreme friend' and appeared to apologize for previous criticisms of him. This decision has sparked discussions about her appropriateness as a public figure amidst growing scrutiny of her connections to Epstein, raising questions about her future in charitable work.

Seven charities have dropped the Duchess of York as a patron or ambassador after an email from 2011 revealed that she called sex offender Jeffrey Epstein her supreme friend and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.

Julia's House, a children's hospice, was the first to remove Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrew's ex-wife, stating that it was inappropriate for her to continue in the role.

The Teenage Cancer Trust, Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, Children's Literacy Charity, National Foundation for Retired Service Animals, and Prevent Breast Cancer also announced their decisions to terminate their links with the duchess. Meanwhile, the British Heart Foundation expressed that she would no longer serve as its ambassador.

A spokesperson for the duchess stated she would not be commenting on the charities' decisions. This controversy emerged after a 2011 email, recently published by the Mail on Sunday and The Sun, indicated that Ferguson had privately sought to maintain ties with Epstein, despite her public claims of severing contact.

The email showcased Ferguson's troubling sentiments towards Epstein, wherein she acknowledged his support and expressed remorse for her previous denouncement of him. She referred to him as a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to her and her family, contradicting her public statements categorizing her association with Epstein as a major error.

Following the email's emergence, a wave of charities ended their affiliations with the duchess, indicating concern over her suitability as a representative for various causes, especially those involving children. For instance, the Teenage Cancer Trust marked a significant departure, as Ferguson had held a patron position there for an impressive 35 years.

This scandal has reignited discussions around the connections between members of the royal family and Epstein, particularly considering that Prince Andrew had already faced extensive scrutiny over his past associations with the convicted sex offender, further complicating Ferguson's standing.

With this recent fallout, questions surrounding the duchess's future credibility remain troubling. Many have commented that her connections to Epstein are akin to a slowly leaking pollution, affecting those associated with her negatively.

The outcome of this controversy could have lasting implications not just for Ferguson but for Prince Andrew as well, as the royal family prefers to maintain a distance from any allegations linked to Epstein.