Sarah Ferguson's Deepening Royal Isolation After Epstein Revelations
Sarah Ferguson finds herself increasingly estranged from the Royal Family following explosive revelations about her dealings with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, whom she once described as a 'supreme friend'. This estrangement, however, predates the recent Epstein scandal by many years, with deep-seated animosity towards Andrew's former wife evident long before her connections to the disgraced financier became public knowledge.
Years of Royal Snubs and Financial Controversies
The Prince and Princess of Wales notably excluded Ferguson from their 2011 wedding invitation list, a decision that followed her involvement in a 'cash for access' scandal the previous year. During this incident, she was filmed by the now-defunct News of the World newspaper offering access to Prince Andrew for £500,000 to an undercover reporter posing as an Indian businessman.
While Ferguson frequently spoke of her mother-daughter bond with Queen Elizabeth II, their relationship was complex and reportedly deteriorated in the monarch's later years. According to palace sources, the Queen lost patience with what she reportedly called the 'remorseless Duchess of Deceit', primarily due to Ferguson's repeated financial scandals and what was described as 'an utter betrayal of the trust placed in her'.
Historian Andrew Lownie, in his latest book 'Entitled', reveals that Ferguson had long caused friction with senior royals. He reports that Princess Anne allegedly 'came close to throttling' Ferguson after seeing her notorious 'toe sucking' photographs, illustrating the depth of royal displeasure.
Epstein Connections and Ongoing Fallout
The recent release of Epstein documents has intensified scrutiny of Ferguson's relationship with the convicted sex offender. Newly revealed emails show Ferguson maintaining contact with Epstein even after his house arrest, with one exchange revealing she told him she was waiting for her youngest daughter 'to come back from a sh***ing weekend'.
These documents also reveal Epstein helped pay off approximately $60,000 worth of debts Ferguson owed to a former assistant. In various communications, Ferguson referred to Epstein as 'my dear, spectacular and special friend' and 'a legend', while in another exchange she thanked him 'for being the brother I have always wished for'.
Royal Relationships Under Strain
The tensions extend beyond Ferguson's relationship with the late Queen. Sources close to the royal family reveal that Prince William has long worked behind the scenes to evict his uncle Andrew from Royal Lodge, with one insider stating: 'He thinks Andy is abusing the property and his privilege there. He also loathes Sarah Ferguson.'
The same source added that William 'can't wait for the day when Charles throws them both out', suggesting that if King Charles doesn't take action, 'the first thing William does when he eventually becomes king is to get them evicted'.
Ferguson's relationship with the late Princess Diana also experienced strains, despite their initial closeness as sisters-in-law. According to psychic Vasso Kortesis's book 'The Duchess of York Uncensored', Ferguson struggled with jealousy of Diana's public image, while Diana reportedly envied Ferguson's closer relationship with the Queen due to her equine interests and country pursuits.
Pattern of Exclusion and Regret
Ferguson has acknowledged her exclusion from significant royal events, including William and Kate's wedding. Speaking to Oprah in 2011 about her absence, she said: 'I was not invited, and I chose to go and be in Thailand... I felt that I ostracised myself by my behavior, by the past, by living with all the regrets of my mistakes.'
Lownie notes, however, that her retreat to Thailand was far from humble - detox breaks at the five-star Kamalaya wellness sanctuary cost around £300 per night. This pattern of exclusion continued with her absence from Prince Philip's funeral in 2021.
Financial Extravagance and Family Dynamics
Ferguson's financial decisions have repeatedly drawn criticism. Her daughter Beatrice's 18th birthday celebration at Windsor Castle in 1999 reportedly cost £400,000 for dinner alone, with Ferguson wearing a £10,000 dress by Georgina Chapman. Notably absent were the Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, and Princes William and Harry.
The following year, Andrew's 40th birthday party at Sunninghill, costing approximately £30,000, also saw senior royals including the Queen, Prince Philip, Princess Anne, Prince Charles, and Prince Edward decline attendance.
Current Consequences and Future Prospects
Ferguson now faces potential homelessness after being ordered to leave Royal Lodge, where she has been living with ex-husband Andrew. Her daughter Eugenie has reportedly cut off contact with her disgraced father following the Epstein scandal revelations.
A spokeswoman for Ferguson has stated that she was 'taken in by his lies' regarding Epstein and that she cut off contact as soon as she became aware of the allegations against him. The spokeswoman added that Epstein threatened to sue Ferguson for defamation after she publicly associated him with paedophilia.
The cumulative effect of decades of controversies, financial scandals, and now the Epstein revelations has created what appears to be an irreversible breach between Sarah Ferguson and the institution she once married into, with royal sources suggesting her standing within the family has reached its lowest point yet.
