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The Duchess of York has been removed as patron of a children’s charity after leaked emails appeared to show her apologising to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein for distancing herself from him.
According to an Independent report, Julia’s House confirmed the decision on Monday, following the emergence of a 2011 email in which Sarah Ferguson reportedly referred to Epstein as a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend.”
The message, dated April 26, 2011, came just weeks after she had publicly declared she would “never have anything to do with” Epstein again, added the report.
“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. We have advised the Duchess of York of this decision and thank her for her past support,” The Independent quoted the hospice, in the Dorset and Wiltshire area, as saying in a statement.
A leaked email, first reported by The Sun on Sunday and Daily Mail, shows the Duchess of York “humbly apologised” to Epstein for linking him to paedophilia, while praising his strength and generosity.
However, her spokesperson claims the email was sent solely to appease Epstein, who had allegedly threatened to sue her for defamation over media comments.
Earlier, in a March 2011 interview with the Evening Standard, Sarah Ferguson admitted accepting £15,000 from Epstein and publicly apologised for her ties to the disgraced financier, who died in prison in 2019.
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More Shorts“I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf. I am just so contrite I cannot say,” the duchess told the newspaper. “Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.”
Just over a month after publicly distancing herself from Epstein, the Duchess of York reportedly sent a personal email to the convicted paedophile from her private account, apologising and expressing emotional turmoil over cutting ties with him.
According to reports, the email read: “I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. And I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that. You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family. I am apologising to you today for not replying to your email or reaching out to you.
I was bedridden with fear. I was paralysed. I was advised, in no uncertain terms, to have nothing to do with you and to not speak or email you. And if I did – I would cause more problems to you, the duke and myself. I was broken and lost. So please understand. I didn’t want to hurt Andrew one more time. I was in overriding fear. I am sorry.”
Her spokesperson said the duchess was “taken in by his lies” and only sent the email to avoid legal threats from Epstein, who had allegedly warned her of a potential defamation suit, reported The Independent.
“The duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been, her first thoughts are with his victims.
Like many people, she was taken in by his lies. As soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations against him, she not only cut off contact but condemned him publicly, to the extent that he then threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia. She does not resile from anything she said then.
This email was sent in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats.”
Epstein died in August 2019 in a New York jail while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.
The duchess’s removal as patron of Julia’s House children’s charity comes amid broader fallout linked to Epstein’s network.
Earlier this month, former UK ambassador to the US, Lord Peter Mandelson, was dismissed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer after emails surfaced showing Mandelson expressing support for Epstein.
Mandelson had reportedly encouraged Epstein to “fight for early release” and told him “I think the world of you” a day before Epstein began his 2008 sentence for soliciting a minor.
More revelations this year also renewed scrutiny on the Duke of York. Emails submitted to a London court showed that Prince Andrew and Epstein were still in contact as late as February 2011, despite Andrew’s earlier claims to have severed ties. In one message, the duke reportedly wrote:
“Keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon.”
Andrew’s continued association with Epstein led to his withdrawal from public duties, and in January 2022, he was stripped of all royal patronages.
With inputs from agencies
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