Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, reportedly suggested to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that he meet a “single” woman with a “great body” shortly after his 2009 release from prison. This revelation comes from a recently released set of documents, known as the Epstein files, made public by the US Department of Justice last week.
The emails, dated September 17, 2009, show Ferguson, who was married to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s second son, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, for several years, communicating with Epstein. In one message, she wrote, “she is single and [has] a great body,” followed by a light-hearted suggestion, “OK well marry me and then we will employ her.” Although the email address is redacted, the contact is identified as Sarah, and other emails from the same address confirm the sender as the former royal.
Background and Context
Sarah Ferguson’s association with Jeffrey Epstein has been a subject of scrutiny, particularly given her high-profile status and past marriage to Prince Andrew, who himself has been embroiled in controversy over his ties to Epstein. The Epstein files, containing millions of documents, do not imply wrongdoing by those named, but they provide a glimpse into the network surrounding the disgraced financier.
In another email sent in July 2010, Ferguson referred to Epstein as her “pillar,” highlighting the closeness of their relationship at the time. This correspondence is part of a broader set of communications that reveal Ferguson’s interactions with Epstein, including a request for him to cover her travel expenses to Miami.
Financial Ties and Travel Requests
According to the documents, two days after Epstein’s release from a Florida prison, where he served time for child sex offenses, his assistant Lesley Groff emailed him about covering flight expenses for Ferguson and her daughters. The email, dated July 24, 2009, detailed a request for business class travel for Ferguson and economy class for her daughters, with the total cost estimated at $15,000. While it’s unclear if Epstein fulfilled this request, Ferguson and her daughters did visit the US shortly thereafter.
Charity Closure and Public Reactions
In a related development, Sarah’s Trust, the charity founded by Ferguson in 2018, announced its closure “for the foreseeable future.” The organization aimed to connect philanthropists with causes in need of funding. A spokesperson stated, “This has been under discussion and in train for some months. We remain extremely proud of the work of the trust over recent years.”
Ferguson has publicly expressed regret over her friendship with Epstein, describing him as “the brother I have always wished for” in a 2009 email. However, she later accused him of using their friendship to gain access to Prince Andrew, highlighting the complex dynamics of their relationship.
Royal Family’s Response
While neither Ferguson nor Prince Andrew have addressed the latest revelations, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and brother to Andrew, commented on the situation during an event in Dubai. He emphasized the importance of remembering the victims, stating, “It is really important, always, to remember the victims and who are the victims in all this.”
The release of these documents continues to shed light on the far-reaching connections of Jeffrey Epstein and the impact on those within his orbit. As more information emerges, the implications for those involved remain a topic of significant public interest and concern.
