Sarah Ferguson's charitable organisation, Sarah's Trust, has declared it will 'regretfully' cease operations for the 'foreseeable future'. This announcement arrives merely days after explosive revelations surfaced regarding the former Duchess of York's association with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Charity Closure Amidst Controversy
A spokesperson for Sarah's Trust confirmed the decision, stating that the closure has been under consideration for several months. The charity emphasised its pride in past achievements, which included partnerships with over sixty other charities across more than twenty nations.
Notable projects encompassed education, healthcare, crisis response, and environmental initiatives. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the trust distributed over 150,000 aid parcels. It also provided medical assistance and training for individuals affected by the conflict in Ukraine and supported education for more than two hundred children in Ghana.
Epstein Email Correspondence Unveiled
Newly disclosed emails indicate that Ms Ferguson arranged a visit to Epstein's Palm Beach mansion in July 2009. This meeting occurred less than a week after Epstein's release from a Florida jail. The correspondence reveals that Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie accompanied their mother on this occasion.
In an email dated July 27, 2009, Ms Ferguson inquired about the logistics, writing: 'What address shall we come to. It will be myself, Beatrice and Eugenie. Are we having lunch?' Epstein confirmed the gathering in a message to his then-partner Ghislaine Maxwell on July 28, noting: 'ferg and the two girls come [sic] yesterday.'
Reports describe the group being served vegetable lasagne prepared by a Parisian chef during their visit to Epstein's residence.
Aftermath and Further Revelations
Epstein later referenced this encounter in correspondence released in October. In an email to British lawyer Paul Tweed dated April 7, 2011, he expressed dissatisfaction that Ms Ferguson had not publicly defended him following his conviction.
Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a twenty-year prison sentence for sex trafficking offences. The timing of the charity's closure, closely following these disclosures, has sparked considerable public and media scrutiny.
The board of trustees, chaired by Sarah Ferguson, stated that the decision to close was made with regret. They affirmed that the charity's work will be remembered for its significant humanitarian contributions despite the current circumstances.
