In a revelation that has reignited controversy around the British royal family and their connections to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, multiple newspapers have published a leaked email from Sarah, Duchess of York, in which she apologizes to Epstein and refers to him as a "steadfast, generous and supreme friend." The email, dated April 26, 2011, surfaced just weeks after the duchess had publicly declared she would have nothing more to do with Epstein, following intense scrutiny over her acceptance of £15,000 from him. The story, initially reported by The Sun and The Mail on Sunday, has since been corroborated by outlets including the BBC and The Independent.
The Duchess of York, formerly Sarah Ferguson, had previously attempted to distance herself from Epstein, who by then was a convicted sex offender. In a March 7, 2011 interview with the Evening Standard, she made her stance clear. "I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf. I am just so contrite I cannot say," she told the newspaper. She also promised, "Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again."
Yet, according to the leaked correspondence, less than two months after her public apology, Ferguson sent an email from her private account to Epstein. In the message, she wrote, "I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. And I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that. You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family." She explained her silence and distance, saying, "I was bedridden with fear. I was paralysed. I was advised in no uncertain terms, to have nothing to do with you and to not speak or email you. And if I did — I would cause more problems to you, the Duke and myself. I was broken and lost. So please understand. I didn’t want to hurt Andrew one more time. I was in over-riding fear. I am sorry."
The email's tone, which appears conciliatory and even affectionate, has drawn sharp criticism and raised questions about the sincerity of the duchess's earlier public statements. However, her spokesperson has offered a robust defense, insisting that Ferguson was acting under duress. The spokesperson told the BBC and The Independent, "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. 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. She does not resile from anything she said then. This email was sent in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats."
Indeed, the context surrounding the email appears fraught with legal and reputational peril. After Ferguson's public condemnation of Epstein, the financier reportedly threatened to sue her for defamation. The duchess's spokesperson maintains that the email was crafted specifically to placate Epstein and avoid costly litigation, rather than signal any genuine reversal of her earlier position. The spokesperson emphasized, "This email was sent in the context of advice the Duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats."
In the same email, Ferguson sought to clarify her public remarks, writing to Epstein, "As you know, I did not, absolutely not, say the 'P word' about you but understand it was reported that I did." This statement appears to acknowledge the media firestorm that followed her earlier interview, while also attempting to distance herself from directly labeling Epstein as a paedophile, despite his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
The timing of the email's release is noteworthy, coming just weeks after another major political fallout related to Epstein's connections. On September 11, 2025, former UK ambassador to the US, Lord Peter Mandelson, was dismissed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer after emails surfaced showing Mandelson expressing support for Epstein. According to The Independent, Mandelson had told Epstein to "fight for early release" and wrote, "I think the world of you" shortly before Epstein began his sentence in 2008. The Foreign Office later stated that "the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment."
The ongoing scrutiny of Epstein's network of influential friends and associates has been fueled by the recent release of documents by a US congressional panel, shedding new light on the financier's relationships with high-profile figures across politics, business, and entertainment. Epstein, who was found dead by suicide in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, left behind a legacy of scandal and unanswered questions. His death, officially ruled a suicide, has done little to quell speculation and investigation into his activities and the extent of his connections.
Sarah Ferguson's entanglement with Epstein has also had ramifications for her former husband, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. Allegations that Prince Andrew sexually abused a woman introduced to him by Epstein led to a high-profile civil case, which was ultimately settled out of court with no admission of liability. The fallout forced Prince Andrew to step back from public duties and saw his military affiliations and charitable patronages removed. The royal family's handling of the Epstein scandal has been a source of public debate and media scrutiny, further complicated by the resurfacing of Ferguson's correspondence.
Despite the duchess's repeated expressions of regret and her public condemnation of Epstein, the publication of the 2011 email has reignited debate over the sincerity of her distancing and the pressures faced by public figures caught in the orbit of powerful, predatory individuals. As her spokesperson reiterated, "Her first thoughts are with his victims." Yet, the episode highlights the complex interplay between personal loyalty, public accountability, and the sometimes harsh realities of reputation management in the face of scandal.
The Epstein case continues to cast a long shadow, not only over those who were directly involved but also over the broader institutions and networks that enabled his predatory behavior. As new documents and testimonies emerge, the public remains riveted by the ongoing revelations—each one a reminder of the enduring impact of Epstein's crimes and the far-reaching consequences for those who knew him.
For Sarah, Duchess of York, the legacy of her association with Epstein is likely to persist, as the public and the press continue to scrutinize every word and action connected to the disgraced financier. The leaked email, whether an act of self-preservation or evidence of conflicted loyalties, stands as a stark testament to the enduring complexities at the intersection of power, privilege, and accountability.