Sarah Ferguson loses charity patronages after Epstein remarks

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has been dropped as a patron by several charities after leaked emails showed her describing Jeffrey Epstein as a steadfast, generous and supreme friend. The withdrawals come amid renewed scrutiny of her past correspondence with Epstein and the broader fallout from his criminal case and associations.

Julia's House, a children’s hospice, announced it had decided Ferguson could no longer serve as a patron, saying it would be inappropriate to maintain the relationship given the information that has emerged. In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the charity said the decision was made after reviewing the weekend’s disclosures and thanked Ferguson for her prior support. The Associated Press reported that Ferguson has also been dropped by the Teenage Cancer Trust and Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. The Prevent Breast Cancer likewise announced it had ended its patronage.

The British Heart Foundation also cut ties, with the BBC reporting that Ferguson would no longer serve as the charity’s ambassador. The Children's Literacy Charity was reported to have severed its relationship as well. A representative for Ferguson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

According to the Daily Mail, Ferguson — who divorced Prince Andrew in 1996 — reached out to Epstein in 2011 after publicly denouncing their friendship in an interview with the Evening Standard. The outlet described an alleged email in which Ferguson referred to Epstein as a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend.” In that message, Ferguson reportedly said she was pressured to act quickly to preserve her career as a children’s author and philanthropist.

A representative for Ferguson told The Guardian that she stood by her public condemnation of Epstein. The statement said Ferguson was taken in by Epstein’s lies and, once she became aware of the extent of the allegations, cut off contact and publicly denounced him. It added that the email in question was sent in the context of advice the duchess received to calm Epstein and his threats.

Ferguson’s ex-husband, Prince Andrew, faced his own royal scrutiny for his ties to Epstein and was stripped of military affiliations and royal patronages in January 2022 after the broader fallout from Epstein’s case and accusations against Andrew. Epstein died in his New York jail cell weeks after his 2019 arrest, with investigators ruling the death a suicide. Maxwell, Epstein’s associate, was later convicted in 2021 for helping to recruit and abuse underage girls and remains incarcerated.

Ferguson has maintained a public-facing role in charity and literary work since her divorce. While she has drawn criticism in light of the messages attributed to her, representatives have emphasized that her earlier condemnation of Epstein was sincere and aligned with her public record on children’s causes. Buckingham Palace and those close to Ferguson have not disclosed additional comment on the patronage changes.

The cascade of moves by the charities underscores the difficulty public figures face when past associations come under renewed scrutiny. While some organizations have kept their philanthropic work and public profiles separate, others have chosen to realign affiliations in response to the evolving public narrative surrounding Epstein and his circle. The developments also reflect broader conversations about accountability in patronage and how charities evaluate the potential implications of those associations on their missions and supporters.

As this story unfolded, Ferguson’s public profile in culture and entertainment coverage has become intertwined with ongoing reporting on her former associates and the legal and moral questions surrounding Epstein’s case. The charities involved have not indicated any further changes at this time, and Ferguson’s camp has not offered additional commentary beyond the statements already issued.