Sarah Ferguson told convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to "just marry me" just six months after his release from prison, according to a cache of newly released emails made public by the US Department of Justice. The message, sent in January 2010, forms part of millions of documents relating to the disgraced financier that were unsealed on Friday, shedding stark new light on the depth of their relationship.
Marriage Proposals and Royal Access Offers
The January 2010 email from Ms Ferguson to Epstein reads: "You are a legend. I really don't have the words to describe, my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness. Xx I am at your service. Just marry me." The context of this remarkable message remains unexplained within the files, but it represents just one of several intimate communications between the former Duchess of York and the convicted sex offender.
Other messages within the extensive document release suggest Ms Ferguson offered Epstein and his associates VIP tours of Buckingham Palace. In June 2009, while Epstein was still serving his sentence for soliciting sex from girls as young as 14, she told him "I can organise anything" after he inquired about arranging special London access for the daughter of his lawyer, Alan Dershowitz.
Continued Contact After Conviction
The documents reveal sustained contact between Ms Ferguson and Epstein following his 2008 conviction and subsequent 13-month prison sentence. In September 2009, she made further marriage-related remarks, suggesting Epstein wed an unnamed woman with a "great body," adding: "Ok well marry me and then we will employ her."
Perhaps most significantly, the emails expose Epstein's attempts to pressure Ms Ferguson into releasing a statement claiming he was "not a pedo" and that she had been "duped" into believing false allegations about him. In March 2011, just days after Ms Ferguson told the Evening Standard she had "deep regret" over her Epstein ties, the financier asked publicist Mike Sitrick to "draft a statement that in an ideal world Fergie would put out."
Epstein's Pressure Campaign
The correspondence reveals Epstein's determined campaign to clear his name through Ms Ferguson's public support. "I think that Fergie can now say, I am not a pedo.. She was DUPED into believeing false stories," Epstein wrote to Sitrick in March 2011. The publicist responded with agreement about the need for a retraction, noting: "One of your good friends, a member of the Royal family, is calling you a pedophile."
Sitrick suggested escalating tactics if "gentle persuasion" failed, including sending "a draft defamation lawsuit." He emphasized: "This is about your name and your reputation. You really can't worry about her, in my view, you need to worry about you. She certainly isn't concerned about your or your reputation."
Ferguson's Response and Brand Concerns
Despite publicly disowning Epstein in media interviews, Ms Ferguson continued private correspondence. In April 2011, she emailed Epstein saying she "did not" and "would not" call him a "P" and that she had acted to "protect my own brand"—a reference to her media ventures discussed elsewhere in the emails. Her spokesman has since claimed this email was intended to "assuage Epstein and his threats" after he "threatened to sue her for defamation."
The documents also reveal Ms Ferguson's gratitude toward Epstein regarding business opportunities for her "Sarah Ferguson brand." In August 2009, she thanked him for discussions with retailers including Target and Tommy Hilfiger, writing: "I have never been more touched by a friends kindness than your compliment to me infront of my girls. Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for."
Royal Connections and Daughters' Involvement
The emails contain multiple references to potential royal access. Epstein told others in 2009 that "Fergie said she could organise tea in Buckingham Palace apts.. or Windsor Castle." While it remains unclear whether such visits occurred, the suggestion of privileged access raises significant questions.
In July 2010, Epstein asked "Sarah" if there was "any chance of your daughters saying hello" to an unnamed person visiting London. Ms Ferguson responded that Princess Beatrice was "in London with her father" while Princess Eugenie was "away with a cool boyfriend."
Andrew's Involvement and Consequences
The document release also contains material relating to Epstein's relationship with Prince Andrew, Ms Ferguson's former husband. The documents reveal Andrew invited Epstein to an intimate dinner at Buckingham Palace just one month after the financier's release from house arrest in August 2010—contradicting Andrew's previous claims about cutting contact.
A photograph within the files shows the former Duke of York crouched on all fours, looming over a woman lying on the floor. Andrew has faced allegations, which he strenuously denies, that he sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre after she was trafficked by Epstein, ultimately paying millions to settle a civil claim in 2022.
The scrutiny over Andrew's relationship with Epstein led to King Charles officially stripping his brother of both his HRH style and prince title. Ms Ferguson, who reverted to her maiden name following Andrew's loss of titles, has faced criticism for maintaining contact with Epstein despite publicly disowning him.
Aftermath and Ongoing Scrutiny
Last year, several charities severed ties with Ms Ferguson after it emerged she apologised to Epstein in April 2011 following her public disavowal. The former duchess has been contacted for comment regarding the newly released emails, which collectively paint a disturbing picture of sustained contact between British royalty and a convicted sex offender.
The documents underscore the complex web of relationships Epstein cultivated with high-profile figures, revealing how even after his conviction for serious sexual offences, he maintained influential connections and sought to manipulate his public image through those associations.
