The charity established by Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, has announced its imminent closure, just days after the release of millions of documents relating to the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. A spokesperson for Sarah's Trust confirmed on Monday evening that the organisation would cease operations "for the foreseeable future," following several months of internal discussions.
Timing Coincides with Epstein Document Dump
The announcement comes shortly after the US Department of Justice published over three million pages of material concerning Epstein on Friday. These documents appear to shed new light on the extent of the relationship between Epstein, Sarah Ferguson, and her former husband, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. The release has triggered renewed scrutiny of the duchess's past associations.
Charity's Legacy and Achievements
In a statement, the spokesperson for Sarah's Trust expressed pride in the charity's work, which spanned more than 20 countries through partnerships with over 60 other organisations. The trust's initiatives focused on education, healthcare, crisis response, and environmental projects. Notable accomplishments included the distribution of over 150,000 aid parcels during the Covid-19 pandemic, providing medical aid and training for those affected by the war in Ukraine, and delivering educational support for more than 200 children in Ghana.
The spokesperson emphasised: "Our chair Sarah Ferguson and the board of trustees have agreed that with regret the charity will shortly close for the foreseeable future. This has been under discussion and in train for some months. We remain extremely proud of the work of the trust over recent years."
Revelations from the Epstein Files
The newly released documents contain several email exchanges that highlight the complex nature of Ferguson's friendship with Epstein. In one particularly revealing email from 2011, Ferguson appears to accuse Epstein of using her to gain access to Prince Andrew, writing: "It was soooo crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew. And that really hurt me deeeply (sic). More than you will know."
Further Email Correspondence Details
The document dump includes additional correspondence that paints a detailed picture of their relationship:
- In March 2011, Epstein requested a publicist to draft a statement for Ferguson to issue, shortly after she expressed "deep regret" over her ties to him in an interview with the Evening Standard.
- An email from "Sarah" in April 2011 asserted that she did not and would not refer to Epstein as a "P," indicating she acted to "protect my own brand."
- Epstein told associates in 2009 that Ferguson claimed she could arrange tea at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.
- After his release from prison, Epstein inquired in July 2010 if Ferguson's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, might greet an unnamed individual in London. Ferguson replied that Beatrice was with her father and Eugenie was away with a boyfriend.
- In August 2009, Ferguson thanked Epstein for "being the brother I have always wished for," describing his kindness as deeply touching.
- An April 2009 email saw Ferguson refer to Epstein as "my dear spectacular and special friend Jeffrey" and a "legend," expressing pride in him.
It is significant to note that all these exchanges occurred after Epstein's 2008 conviction for prostituting minors, adding a layer of controversy to the ongoing revelations.
Broader Context and Royal Fallout
The document release also contains material implicating Prince Andrew, including emails discussing a "beautiful" Russian woman and invitations to Buckingham Palace. This follows a period of intense scandal for the former Duke of York, who was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages by King Charles last year. This action came after the posthumous publication of a book by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell at age 17.
Prince Andrew settled a civil sexual assault claim with Ms Giuffre in 2022 for a reported multimillion-pound sum, though he has consistently denied any wrongdoing and claimed never to have met her. The latest document disclosures continue to fuel public and media interest in the connections between Epstein and members of the British royal family.
The closure of Sarah's Trust marks the end of a charitable endeavour that, despite its philanthropic achievements, now finds itself overshadowed by the resurgent scandal linking its founder to one of the most notorious figures in recent history.
