UK Charity Cuts Ties With Prince Andrew's Ex-Wife Over Jeffrey Epstein Email

UK Charity Cuts Ties With Prince Andrew's Ex-Wife Over Jeffrey Epstein Email

Sarah Ferguson, 65, previously acknowledged receiving a loan from Epstein to assist with her debt settlement.

A British children's charity announced Monday it had terminated its relationship with Sarah Ferguson, the former spouse of Prince Andrew, after the discovery of correspondence between her and convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In the 2011 email obtained by The Mail on Sunday, Ferguson - commonly known as Fergie - described Epstein as a "steadfast, generous and supreme friend" and expressed regret for distancing herself from him.

The Duchess of York explained to Epstein that she had been directed to give a critical interview about him weeks prior to safeguard her "career as a children's book author and children's philanthropist".

During that interview, Ferguson had pledged to "never have anything to do with" Epstein again and described the £15,000 ($20,000) loan from the billionaire as "a gigantic error of judgment".

Sarah Ferguson, 65, has previously confirmed that Epstein provided the loan to help her address financial obligations.

On Monday, the children's hospice organization Julia's House stated it had concluded its association with Ferguson "following the information shared this weekend on the Duchess of York's correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein".

"Julia's House has taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue as a patron of the charity," the organization stated.

"We have advised the Duchess of York of this decision and thank her for her past support."

Ferguson, who married Prince Andrew in 1986 before divorcing ten years later, has since transformed her career as an author, media personality, and charity patron.

She has maintained a close relationship with Andrew - whose older brother is King Charles III - and remained supportive of him following his public disgrace related to his own Epstein connections.

The couple, who continue to share residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, west of London, had been making a cautious return to public life, both attending the Duchess of Kent's funeral last week.

Regarding the reports about her 2011 email, a representative for Ferguson explained it was sent "in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats".

Media reports indicate Epstein had been contemplating a defamation lawsuit against her over the interview.