Duchess of York dumped as Julia’s House patron after Epstein emails reveal grovelling messages

LONDON — Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has been dropped as patron of Julia’s House, a children’s hospice, after revelations of emails in which she apologized to Jeffrey Epstein and described him as a "supreme friend" who lent her money.

The letters, published by the Mail on Sunday, include an email addressed to "my dear, dear friend Jeffrey," thanking Epstein for help with debts and saying, "How can I thank you enough? You are a friend indeed and I will one day give it to you back. But I can not have the words to thank you now." Ferguson later described Epstein as a "steadfast, generous and supreme friend" and wrote that she distanced herself to protect her career as a children’s author and philanthropist, saying she was "broken" at seeing "all my children’s work disappearing." She is reported to have accepted more than $20,000 from Epstein.

Julia’s House said it would be "inappropriate" to continue its patronage following the revelations and has advised Ferguson of its decision. A spokesperson added that the charity appreciated her past support but could not maintain ties under the circumstances.

Ferguson did not respond to requests for comment, and The Post said it had reached out to Sarah’s Trust, a charity founded by the duchess. Her husband, Prince Andrew, whose ties to Epstein have also drawn scrutiny, stepped back from royal duties years ago as a result of the broader controversy surrounding Epstein.

The episode underscores how charities reassess royal patronage amid public scrutiny and questions about donations tied to controversial figures. It also illustrates the ongoing public interest in how members of the royal family handle past associations with convicted or accused criminals.