In a bombshell revelation that reads like a political thriller, disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein allegedly plotted to hire a former SAS sniper to assassinate Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, according to a prominent royal historian.
The Deadly Plot Unveiled
Andrew Lownie, author of the book 'Entitled' about the York couple, has made the extraordinary claim that Epstein became increasingly paranoid while awaiting trial for federal sex trafficking charges in 2019. Before his death by suicide in prison, the convicted sex offender allegedly contacted a hitman who had served as a sniper in Britain's elite Special Air Service regiment.
Speaking to the Daily Beast podcast, Mr Lownie revealed that Epstein explicitly stated he wanted the Duke and Duchess of York dead, fearing they could expose his secrets. The royal author stated he received this information from two reliable sources - one based in Paris and a former FBI agent in Florida.
Epstein's Growing Paranoia
According to Lownie's sources, Epstein had grown "very nervous" in the days leading up to his death on August 10, 2019. The financier, who had previously enjoyed a close relationship with the royal couple, apparently believed that the Palace might orchestrate his own assassination.
"Jeffrey became paranoid the Palace would kill him," Lownie claimed. "If Jeffrey hadn't died, Andrew and Fergie would have been murdered. They knew too much."
The author described the alleged plot as "extraordinary and like a scene from The Day of the Jackal," while noting that "nothing about this saga is normal." He admitted uncertainty about how far the plans progressed, acknowledging that Epstein "said all sorts of things, and you can't always believe what he said."
Fall from Grace and Lasting Consequences
The relationship between the Yorks and Epstein has proven devastating for their royal standing. Both Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have experienced a significant fall from grace due to their association with the convicted sex offender, resulting in the removal of their royal stylings.
Prince Andrew faced allegations of having sex with Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's trafficking victims, when she was 17 years old. Although he has consistently denied the allegations, the Duke reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022 that included no admission of wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, leaked emails revealed that Sarah Ferguson had referred to Epstein as a "supreme friend" after previously condemning him in 2011. Her representatives have argued this was an attempt to prevent potential lawsuits.
The couple's ongoing troubles continue as they face eviction from Royal Lodge, with reports suggesting Ferguson may now be considering a tell-all interview or book about her experiences.
