Sarah’s Trust, the charity founded by Sarah Ferguson, is to close for the foreseeable future following the release of new files relating to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender. The decision was announced by a spokesperson for the trust after months of discussion.
The closure comes after the US Department of Justice released around three million documents on Friday, which included fresh details about Ferguson’s friendship with Epstein. In one email from August 2009, Ferguson thanked Epstein for "being the brother I have always wished for", while another from April 2009 described him as "my dear spectacular and special friend Jeffrey" and a "legend".
Other correspondence suggested Epstein may have had a secret child. In an email dated 21 September 2011, Ferguson wrote: "Don’t know if you’re still on this bbm but have heard from The Duke that you have had a baby boy." In a separate message, she accused Epstein of befriending her only to gain access to Prince Andrew, writing: "I did not even know you were having a baby. It was soooo crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew."
The trust’s spokesperson expressed pride in its achievements, noting partnerships with over 60 charities in more than 20 countries, the delivery of 150,000 aid parcels during the Covid pandemic, medical aid for Ukraine, and education for over 200 children in Ghana. The closure follows the decision by seven charities, including the Teenage Cancer Trust and a children’s hospice, to sever ties with Ferguson over her Epstein links.
The newly released files also showed that in March 2011 Epstein asked publicist Mike Sitrick to draft a statement for Ferguson, days after she expressed "deep regret" over their association. Ferguson later emailed Epstein saying she had acted to "protect my own brand". A spokesperson for Ferguson has previously said she condemns Epstein and does not resile from that position.
