Several charitable organizations have cut ties with Sarah Ferguson, the former wife of Prince Andrew, following the release of an email where she referred to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as a “supreme friend.” Among the charities severing connections with Ferguson are Julia’s House, Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, and Prevent Breast Cancer.
In response to the email, Julia’s House, a children’s hospice, stated that Ferguson’s reported correspondence with Epstein made it inappropriate for her to remain a patron of the charity. Similarly, the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and Prevent Breast Cancer decided to end their associations with Ferguson.
According to a spokesperson for Ferguson, she sent the email to Epstein on the advice of her lawyers after he threatened to sue her for linking him to sexual abuse in a media interview. The email was related to a 2011 interview with the Evening Standard where Ferguson apologized for accepting money from Epstein and expressed her regret for the connection.
The authenticity of the email has not been independently confirmed by the Associated Press. Ferguson’s ex-husband, Prince Andrew, faced repercussions for his ties to Epstein after a controversial interview with the BBC in 2019, leading him to step back from all royal duties. Additionally, Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to the U.S., was relieved of his duties after further communications with Epstein came to light.
Jeffrey Epstein’s death in 2019 was ruled a suicide, sparking conspiracy theories due to his associations with prominent figures like U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Epstein had previously pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution in 2008 and was facing federal charges of child trafficking at the time of his death.