Charities sever ties with Duchess of York over Epstein email

A growing number of charities have cut ties with Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, after revelations about an email she sent to the late Jeffrey Epstein in which she described him as a supreme friend. The disclosures have prompted several organizations to reassess their association with Ferguson, highlighting the reputational risks public figures face amid new scrutiny of Epstein-era ties.

Teenage Cancer Trust said it had ended its patronage of Ferguson, effective immediately, telling TIME that the decision followed concerns raised by the email. Julia’s House, a children’s hospice in the south of England, confirmed it had ended its working relationship with Ferguson, describing the move as inappropriate given the disclosures. The founders of Natasha’s Allergy Research Foundation also severed ties, stating they were disturbed by the correspondence and that Ferguson will no longer be a patron. In addition, Prevent Breast Cancer, The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals, The British Heart Foundation, and The Children's Literacy Charity have also reportedly dropped all association with the Duchess.

The email in question was surfaced by the Mail on Sunday and The Sun after Ferguson, in a 2011 interview with the Evening Standard, apologized for accepting £15,000 from Epstein. She said she abhorred pedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and that it was a grave error of judgment to accept the money; she said she would repay the money and have nothing to do with Epstein again. In the newly disclosed email, she appeared to apologize to Epstein for her public remarks, telling him that he had always been a steadfast, generous, and supreme friend to her and her family.

A Ferguson spokesperson told The Sun that the email was written after Epstein threatened to sue for defamation over her comments and that the Duchess regrets her association with the financier.

TIME has reached out to Ferguson for further comment as the story continues to unfold.

Epstein's criminal history provides the broader backdrop. Epstein was first convicted in 2008 on state charges related to soliciting prostitution of a minor. He died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while facing federal sex-trafficking charges, triggering renewed scrutiny of his extensive connections.

Ferguson is the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, the brother of King Charles III. Andrew faced allegations of sexual abuse by a woman who accused Epstein of aiding the sex-trafficking scheme; he denied the allegations and stepped back from royal duties in January 2022, with a civil resolution filed a month later.

The latest withdrawals by charities reflect a broader re-evaluation of ties to Epstein-era associates in public life.

The shifts signal ongoing caution among charities about any association with individuals linked to Epstein and underline the pressure public figures face as details of past conduct continue to emerge.

TIME's coverage continues to highlight that the Duchess's case sits within a wider context of scrutiny over royal and high-profile philanthropic networks tied to Epstein's circle.