“`html
Seven charitable organizations have severed ties with the Duchess of York, relinquishing her roles as patron or ambassador, following the emergence of a 2011 email in which she referred to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as her “supreme friend” and appeared to express regret for her prior public criticism of him.
Julia’s House, a hospice for children, was the first to announce its decision to remove Sarah Ferguson, the former wife of Prince Andrew, citing that her continued involvement was “inappropriate.”
The Teenage Cancer Trust, Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, Children’s Literacy Charity, National Foundation for Retired Service Animals, and Prevent Breast Cancer have also publicly declared their disassociation with the Duchess as patron.
Furthermore, the British Heart Foundation has stated that she will no longer serve as its ambassador.
A representative for the Duchess of York indicated that she would not be commenting on the decisions made by the charities.
These developments follow the publication of a 2011 email from the Duchess to Epstein by the Mail on Sunday and The Sun newspapers. The email seemingly contradicts her earlier public statements claiming a cessation of contact with him.
In the email, she appeared to offer a private apology for her public disavowal of Epstein, stating, “You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family.”
This contrasts sharply with her public denouncement of Epstein in an interview earlier that year, where she described her association with him as a “gigantic error of judgement” and acknowledged that “What he did was wrong and for which he was rightly jailed.”
A spokesperson for the Duchess explained that the subsequent email to Epstein, in which she described him as a friend, was sent in response to a threat of defamation lawsuit and that she deeply regrets any association with him.
“This email was sent in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats,” according to a statement released by her spokesperson at the time of the email’s publication.
The email exchange occurred several years after Epstein’s conviction and imprisonment for sex offenses in 2008.
The Duchess became a patron of Julia’s House, serving families in Dorset and Wiltshire, in 2018 and previously visited one of its hospices.
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, established after the tragic death of teenager Natasha Ednan-Laperouse due to a severe allergic reaction, invited the Duchess to become a patron upon its founding in 2019.
She joined forces with Prevent Breast Cancer in 2024 following her own breast cancer treatment the year before, and has been a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust for 35 years.
Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and former husband of the Duchess, relinquished his role as a working royal and lost his royal patronages following scrutiny of his association with Epstein, including a contentious BBC Newsnight interview in 2019.
The contact with Epstein continued after his release from jail, with Prince Andrew photographed alongside Epstein in New York’s Central Park in 2010.
Increased pressure in the United States for the release of information regarding Epstein and his prominent connections has led to the emergence of further details, including messages sent to him in an alleged “birthday book”.
Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
The withdrawal of support from these charities is undoubtedly a significant embarrassment for the Duchess, whose remaining public profile has largely centered on philanthropic endeavors.
The charities’ decision to deem her no longer “appropriate” as their representative underscores the severe damage her brand has sustained due to her connections with Epstein.
These links to Epstein continue to have a far-reaching impact, tarnishing those associated with him.
The publication of the email exchange, in which she appeared to express a desire to maintain a private friendship with Epstein despite her public disavowal, has proven to be a tipping point.
This swift reaction from charities follows a series of questions regarding individuals within Epstein’s circle, including the Duchess and her former husband, Prince Andrew, specifically concerning the timeline of their association.
The Duchess has been viewed as a resilient figure within royal circles, demonstrating an ability to rebound from adversity. Last Christmas, she received praise for her efforts in keeping Prince Andrew away from public events during a Chinese spy scandal.
However, she now faces another scandal, raising concerns about her attendance at future royal engagements.
Sign up here to get the latest royal stories and analysis every week with our Royal Watch newsletter. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
Sarah Ferguson supports plans for a new breast cancer imaging unit and medical training academy.
The Duchess of York pulled a pint in the Rovers and said she would have to ‘bamboozle’ producers to get a part.
The Duchess of York, who was diagnosed with skin cancer this year, spoke of her admiration for Kate.
The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, revealed she had malignant melanoma this week.
A spokesman says a cancerous mole was found while the duchess was having reconstructive surgery.
“`