Sarah Ferguson's Luxury Flight Demands from Jeffrey Epstein Revealed in New Emails
Freshly uncovered correspondence has exposed how the former Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, demanded first class travel arrangements from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein within hours of his release from prison. The emails, obtained by the Daily Mail, reveal a detailed pattern of requests for Epstein to fund luxurious trips for Ferguson and her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Immediate Requests Following Epstein's Release
The timeline of events shows remarkable immediacy. Jeffrey Epstein was released under house arrest to his Palm Beach waterfront mansion on July 22, 2009, after serving thirteen months for soliciting a child for prostitution. That very same day, staff from Sarah Ferguson's office contacted Epstein's house manager, Lesley Groff, suggesting he should "graciously" pay for Ferguson's trip to visit him in Florida.
In one email explicitly headed "The Duchess of York," Groff wrote to Epstein: "Amanda from the Duchess' office just called. She said that you graciously offered to pay for the Duchess to come and visit you. Amanda would like to speak to [redacted] about flights." The executive assistant referenced is believed to be Amanda Lewis, who served as Ferguson's assistant at the time.
Escalating Demands for Royal Travel Upgrades
By the following morning, the requests had expanded significantly. Groff updated Epstein: "Amanda said the princesses would like to accompany the Duchess and she is wondering if you might be willing to pay for them as well..." After Epstein responded with a simple "ok," the planning began in earnest, with Ferguson requesting a three-day break in New York alongside flights carrying what staff described as "crazy high price tags."
Epstein initially instructed his team to book Ferguson in business class while arranging for Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, then aged nineteen and twenty-one respectively, to travel via economy or premium economy. However, Ferguson's demands quickly escalated beyond these already generous arrangements.
The Push for First Class and Club Class Upgrades
A series of emails reveal staff scrambling to accommodate Ferguson's increasingly expensive requests. She provided her British Airways frequent flyer number and insisted on the most expensive flight options available. At one point, Groff questioned Epstein about flexibility, noting that what Ferguson was demanding—including first class tickets for herself and business class (referred to as club class) for the princesses—would exceed thirty thousand dollars.
"There are no other tickets accept for First Class on the flight home she is requesting..." Groff added in her correspondence. Despite initially confirming flights according to Epstein's original business and economy instructions at a cost of $14,080.10, the situation changed dramatically just hours before the return flight from New York to London.
Last-Minute Upgrade Demands and Epstein's Refusal
On July 30, 2009, Groff informed Epstein that Ferguson was demanding an upgrade from business to first class for herself and from economy to club class for her daughters. The email stated: "The Duchess has asked that she be in First and the girls in Club on the flight back from NYC to LHR apparently Jeffrey said that this would be ok please can you let me know if you can change this."
Epstein, who would later die by suicide while awaiting trial for sex trafficking in 2019, responded within minutes: "i said nothing,, do not respond." Groff, who noted that attempts were being made to contact her by phone, agreed not to respond to the upgrade request.
Financial Context and Additional Requests
This episode occurred while Sarah Ferguson was reportedly on the verge of bankruptcy, adding significant context to her persistent requests for financial assistance. The files reveal that Ferguson and her daughters stayed with American businessman Philip Levine at his Miami mansion before using his car and driver to visit Epstein on July 27, 2009.
Messages confirm the princesses would be joining and inquire about lunch arrangements. Epstein responded that it would be "vegetable lasagna" or anything else they desired, prepared by a chef flown in from Paris. This lunch is believed to have been used by Ferguson to seek advice regarding her well-documented financial difficulties.
Post-Visit Correspondence and Further Financial Requests
The following week, Ferguson sent Epstein an effusive email about business proposals emerging from their meeting. "After your lunch it seems the energy has lifted," she wrote. "I have never been more touched by a friend's kindness than your compliment to me in front of my girls. Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for."
Emails indicate Ferguson hoped new ventures might resolve her financial crisis and help her become "the quintessentially British Martha Stewart." Later that year, she appears to have enlisted Hollywood publicist Peggy Seigel, a close friend of Epstein, to promote her film Young Victoria in the United States.
Screening Requests and Epstein's Connections
In late 2009, Seigel contacted Epstein about planning a screening for the movie, revealing that Ferguson had asked for him to either host the event at his home or provide twenty thousand dollars for a venue. "She wants to know if you will come up and have it in your house....And she and I want to know if you can't come—can we have $20,000 to do the night," Seigel wrote.
She added that Ghislaine Maxwell, later imprisoned for her role in luring underage girls for Epstein, had been approached to host the evening. When Epstein refused to provide his home, Maxwell reportedly stepped in before the event was ultimately cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.
Broader Media Ambitions Revealed
Additional emails show Ferguson forwarding Epstein details about her hopes to appear on American television. One indicates discussions with television producer Mark Burnett about finding a place for her on The Celebrity Apprentice and developing her own series titled "Duchess for a Day."
Sarah Ferguson was approached for comment regarding these revelations. The newly uncovered correspondence provides unprecedented insight into the financial relationships and luxury demands surrounding one of Britain's most controversial royal figures during a period of significant personal financial strain.
