In brief
Sarah Ferguson has been removed from her role as patron of Julia's House following the emergence of an email in which she referred to Jeffrey Epstein as her 'supreme friend.' This decision was made by the children's charity, citing the inappropriateness of her continued patronage after the content of the email contradicted her previous public denouncements of Epstein. Ferguson's spokespeople have stated that the email was sent amid a legal threat from Epstein.
The Duchess of York has been removed as patron of a children's charity, in the wake of an email emerging in which she called sex offender Jeffrey Epstein her supreme friend.
Julia's House, a children's hospice charity serving families in Dorset and Wiltshire, has terminated Sarah Ferguson's role following the revelation of an email sent in 2011.
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, remarked a charity spokesperson. They added, We have advised the Duchess of York of this decision and thank her for her past support.
The charity's decision comes after the publication of a private email from Ferguson to Epstein, where she seemed to apologize for distancing herself from him. In the email, she stated, You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family, contradicting her public comments made earlier.
A spokesperson for the duchess revealed she would not comment on the charity's recent decision, but noted that the email was sent to mitigate threats from Epstein regarding defamation. The spokesperson emphasized Ferguson's regret over any association with him.
Ferguson, who was made a patron of Julia's House in 2018, has now been removed from the charity's website alongside other patrons, such as football manager Eddie Howe and actor Nigel Havers.
