Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, has yet to comment on the arrest of her ex-husband Prince Andrew, but her own close ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein are facing renewed scrutiny. Ferguson, known as 'Fergie', married Andrew in 1986 and divorced him a decade later, but has remained a steadfast supporter through allegations linked to Epstein.
She had previously described Andrew as 'amazing' and called the couple 'the happiest divorced couple in the world'. Ferguson also dismissed claims by Epstein's alleged victim Virginia Giuffre, labelling her a liar. However, her own connections to Epstein have been laid bare in documents from the US investigation into the financier, including emails showing a close personal and financial relationship.
The Epstein files reveal that Ferguson exchanged emails with Epstein even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor. In one email, she wrote: 'Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for.' In another, she said: 'You are a legend' and 'I am at your service. Just marry me.' She also received a wire transfer of $150,000 in 2001 from Epstein, which she attributed to share options from her Weight Watchers ambassador role.
Ferguson's financial troubles have been well documented. In 2010, she was caught in a News of the World sting offering to sell access to Prince Andrew for £500,000. Six of her businesses are also set to be struck off the Companies House register after becoming dormant. She publicly apologised for her association with Epstein in 2011, saying she 'abhorred paedophilia', but later privately emailed Epstein to 'humbly apologise' for denouncing him, describing him as 'a supreme friend'. She later claimed she sent that email to 'assuage Epstein and his threats'.
The ongoing revelations have led several charities previously linked to Ferguson to cut ties, raising questions about the funding of her daughters' lifestyles. As Andrew faces a separate investigation, Ferguson's own entanglement with Epstein continues to cast a shadow over her public standing.
