Fergie's Epstein Friendship: Shocking Emails Reveal Royal Daughters' Involvement
As more disturbing details emerge from the latest Jeffrey Epstein files release, the friendship between Sarah Ferguson and the convicted paedophile financier has come under intense scrutiny. Even those who previously sympathised with the likeable former Duchess of York have expressed profound concern, with one particularly troubling aspect of their correspondence sparking widespread dismay.
The Brother She Never Had
While Prince Andrew's connection to Epstein has long attracted criticism, the leaked documents make it clear Sarah Ferguson also harboured significant affection for the disgraced financier. In one shocking email, she lauded Epstein as the brother she always wished she'd had, revealing a depth of relationship that has stunned royal observers.
This stands in stark contrast to her public position. On March 7, 2011, Ferguson gave an interview to the Evening Standard expressing regret over accepting £15,000 from Epstein and pledging to have nothing further to do with the sex offender. Behind the scenes, however, a very different story was unfolding.
Behind the Scenes Grovelling
While publicly distancing herself, Ferguson was privately grovelling to her steadfast and generous friend Epstein, who reportedly soured on her after she washed her hands of him so publicly. Ferguson's team have since insisted her apology to Epstein occurred because she was fearful over his threats, adding another layer of complexity to this troubling relationship.
The timeline reveals particularly concerning behaviour. Epstein was released from prison in July 2009 after serving 13 months of an 18-month sentence for soliciting prostitution with a minor. During his final month behind bars, Ferguson was seeking his business advice, arranging prison phone calls and telling him love you in their correspondence.
Daughters Drawn Into Controversy
Most disturbing of all are revelations about Princess Beatrice and Eugenie's involvement. In leaked messages sent shortly after Sarah's apology interview, Epstein told his lawyers that Ferguson was the first to celebrate my release with her two daughters in tow.
While sources close to Sarah initially insisted neither she nor her daughters recalled such a visit, emails dated July 2009 show Ferguson seemingly arranging a lunch with Epstein, telling him myself, Beatrice and Eugenie would be present. The princesses would have been 20 and 19 years old respectively during that summer when Epstein walked free.
Inappropriate Remarks and Meetings
The correspondence reveals increasingly inappropriate behaviour. In a message dated August 3, 2009, Ferguson thanked Epstein profusely, telling him: I have never been more touched by a friend's kindness than your compliment to me in front of my girls.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, who appeared on GB News to discuss the scandal, expressed particular concern about the daughters' involvement. I hesitate to criticise another mother's parenting, Bond remarked, but I do ask what kind of mother would take her daughters, then aged 19 and 20, to Miami to have lunch with a convicted paedophile.
Crass Comments About Eugenie
The emails reveal even more troubling exchanges. In March 2010, when Epstein asked about Ferguson's plans to visit New York, she replied: Not sure yet. Just waiting for Eugenie to come back from a sh*****g weekend. This message was sent around the time of Princess Eugenie's 20th birthday, which she celebrated with her now-husband Jack Brooksbank.
Bond found this particularly disturbing, reflecting: A man who had come out of jail for that very crime only five days earlier. It is beyond comprehension to me, and then she wrote to Epstein and joked about her younger daughter's love life. Why would you do that? I think that's deeply, deeply insensitive.
Ongoing Contact and Royal Mortification
The contact continued throughout 2010. On July 1 that year, Epstein emailed Ferguson to say he'd be in London, asking whether there was a chance of Beatrice and Eugenie saying h=llo. Two days later, Ferguson replied that Beatrice was in London with Andrew while Eugie is away with cool boyfri=d.
Both Beatrice and Eugenie are said to be mortified and aghast at these revelations. A source close to the York sisters told the Daily Mail: They are aghast at what they have read. They are mortified by the emails their mother has sent to Epstein. It is so embarrassing for them.
Epstein's Final Chapter
In July 2019, Epstein was arrested again on federal sex trafficking charges. He died by suicide in a New York jail cell the following month before he could stand trial. The Mirror has approached Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrew and the Palace for comment, with Andrew having always strongly denied any wrongdoing.
For Jennie Bond, the damage extends beyond reputation: I think Sarah is not only going to have to question her reputation and the damage done to that, but the damage done to the relationship with her daughters as well. As more details emerge from the Epstein files, this royal scandal continues to unfold with disturbing implications for all involved.
