The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, has been removed as a patron of a children’s hospice after it emerged she had written a private apology email to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Julia’s House Statement
Julia’s House children’s hospice confirmed the decision in a statement on Sunday, saying:
“Following the information shared this weekend on the Duchess of York’s correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, Julia’s House has decided that it would be inappropriate for her to continue as a patron of the charity.
“We have advised the Duchess of York of this decision and thank her for her past support.”
The Apology Email
The move came after reports that the duchess, in April 2011, emailed Epstein and described him as her “supreme friend” while apologising for publicly distancing herself from him.
According to The Sun on Sunday, the duchess wrote that she was “humbly apologetic” for media coverage linking him to paedophilia weeks earlier.
She allegedly told Epstein in the message that he had been a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend.”
Response from the Duchess
A spokesperson for the duchess has since said the note was written under pressure, claiming Epstein had threatened to sue her at the time.
Earlier Public Comments
Her previous public comments had been markedly different. In March 2011, speaking to the Evening Standard, she apologised for accepting £15,000 from Epstein.
She told the paper: “I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf. I am just so contrite, I cannot say.
“Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.”
Subsequent Private Contact
But less than six weeks later, the duchess reportedly contacted Epstein privately from her personal email account.
The Sun reported she expressed regret, apologised again, and admitted she was “bedridden with fear.”
Renewed Scrutiny
The fallout has renewed scrutiny of the Duchess of York’s historic ties to Epstein, who was a convicted sex offender and financier with connections across politics and royalty.
Charitable Repercussions
Her removal from Julia’s House highlights the reputational risks for charities linked to public figures whose past associations come under question.
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