Multiple charities have cut ties with Sarah, Duchess of York, after it emerged she had described Jeffrey Epstein as a 'supreme friend' in a letter. The Teenage Cancer Trust, one of the largest charities she supported, confirmed it was ending her patronage on Monday.
The children's hospice Julia's House said the correspondence rendered Ferguson no longer suitable, stating: '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.'
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation also dropped Ferguson as a patron. Founders Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse said they were 'disturbed' by the comments and that it would be inappropriate for her to remain associated. Prevent Breast Cancer and The Children's Literacy Charity also ended their patronages.
The letter, written in 2011, was an apology to Epstein after she had linked him to paedophilia in a newspaper interview. Ferguson's spokesperson said it was sent 'in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats'. The Sun reported that Ferguson had 'humbly apologised' and described Epstein as 'steadfast' and 'generous'.
In the letter, Ferguson wrote: 'I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. And I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that. You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family.' She added that she was advised to have nothing to do with him and acted out of fear of causing problems for the duke and herself.
