Last Updated:
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and the former wife of Prince Andrew, reportedly called Jeffrey Epstein a “supreme friend” despite his conviction in sex offences.
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. (Reuters/File)
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and the former wife of Prince Andrew, once called Jeffrey Epstein a “supreme friend”, despite his conviction for sex offences, as per an email conversation published by two newspapers in the UK.
As per the reports by The Sun and The Mail, the email was sent in 2011, weeks after the Duchess had publicly distanced herself from the disgraced financier. Ferguson had called her involvement with Epstein a “gigantic error of judgement”.
Recommended Stories
“I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children,” she was quoted as saying by BBC in 2011. “I cannot state more strongly that I know a terrible, terrible error of judgement was made, my having anything to do with Jeffrey Epstein. What he did was wrong and for which he was rightly jailed.”
At that time, Epstein was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a person under the age of 18 years and was sentenced to 18 months in jail. However, the UK media outlets reported that the duchess emailed Epstein shortly after the interview, saying she had not used the word “paedophilia” in reference to him.
‘You Have Been A Supreme Friend’
In the email, Ferguson said, “As you know, I did not, absolutely not, say the ‘P word’ about you but understand it was reported that I did. I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family.”
However, a spokesperson for the duchess said the email was sent after Epstein had threatened to sue her for defamation. “The duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been, her first thoughts are with his victims,” the spokesperson said.
“Like many people, she was taken in by his lies. As soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations against him, she not only cut off contact but condemned him publicly, to the extent that he then threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia,” they said, adding that Ferguson stood by her public condemnation of Epstein.
Jeffrey Epstein was arrested on July 6, 2019, on federal charges including sex trafficking of minors. He was found dead by suicide in the same year while awaiting a trial in New York.
Ferguson’s former husband, Prince Andrew, is also accused of sexually abusing a woman he was allegedly introduced to by Epstein. The case was settled out of court with no admission of liability, but Andrew stepped back from his public duties.
About the Author
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
London, United Kingdom (UK)
September 21, 2025, 21:04 IST
Loading comments…
Read More
