Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, has been seen in public for the first time in over 200 days, spotted at a luxury chalet in the Austrian Alps. This appearance comes amid mounting pressure from United States Congress members for her to provide sworn testimony regarding her relationship with the late convicted paedophile billionaire, Jeffrey Epstein.
Growing Calls for Testimony from US Lawmakers
In March, members of the US Congress urged Ferguson to give "sworn testimony" about her and her disgraced ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's, connections with Epstein. This followed earlier calls for the 66-year-old to testify under oath to the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating the handling of Epstein's prosecution.
Seclusion in a Quiet Austrian Village
According to reports from The Sun, Ferguson was photographed in a "quiet Austrian ski village," where she has reportedly been lying low. An unnamed source quoted by the newspaper stated, "She hasn’t been seen for a long time and has clearly wanted to keep it that way. Her choice of outfit when she popped out was obviously carefully chosen to help her avoid being recognised."
The source added, "The area is absolutely beautiful and it’s very quiet most of the time, so it’s the perfect place for a high-profile figure such as her to lie low when the heat is on." Ferguson has not made any public statement on the calls to give evidence to US lawmakers.
Revelations from Epstein Document Release
Following the release of two million documents in the Epstein files at the end of January, new details emerged about Ferguson's relationship with the disgraced financier. The documents revealed they remained close even after Epstein's 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution.
An email exchange from 2009 showed the then-Duchess of York calling Epstein the "brother I have always wished for" as she updated him on business opportunities. In 2010 emails, she described him as a "legend," expressed her "gratitude," and wrote, "I am at your service. Just marry me."
The documents, released by the US Department of Justice, also suggest Ferguson took her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, to lunch with Epstein shortly after his release from prison. It is important to note that being named in the files does not indicate wrongdoing.
US Congress Member's Statement
Last month, US Congress House Oversight Committee member Suhas Subramanyam said he believed Ferguson had "information related to the investigation." He told the BBC, "Sarah Ferguson should give sworn testimony to our committee."
While there is no legal mechanism to compel Ferguson to testify in the US, Subramanyam stated lawmakers would be "happy to work out terms that work for her," provided she was under oath.
Context of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's Situation
US lawmakers have long called for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to answer questions over his ties to Epstein. He was arrested and released under investigation in February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in public office over claims he leaked documents to Epstein when serving as a UK trade envoy. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Ferguson was stripped of her Duchess of York title last year when her ex-husband lost his own title due to links with Epstein. Her emergence in the Alps marks a significant moment as scrutiny intensifies around the Epstein scandal and those associated with it.
