Most Brits until recently would admit to a mild state of apathy towards Sarah Ferguson – now after the Epstein email scandal they rightly feel betrayal and rage. The one-time Duchess of York, until Andrew had to ditch his Duke of York title a few weeks ago due to his links to the dead paedophile financier, had side-stepped his crisis until ‘that email’ left her skewered.
Let’s take Doctor Who‘s TARDIS back to an interview she gave in 2011 when the then ‘duchess’ said her involvement with Epstein had been a “gigantic error of judgment”. She vowed she would never have anything again to do with Epstein, saying: “I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children.”
She continued: “I cannot state more strongly that I know a terrible, terrible error of judgement was made, my having anything to do with Jeffrey Epstein. What he did was wrong and for which he was rightly jailed.”
That’s pretty clear. She was never going to speak to Epstein who – let’s be clear – had been jailed three years earlier for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
So on that basis Fergie was uber clear – vile child sex pervert Epstein was persona non grata and off the Christmas card list.
But in September 2025 an email surfaced claiming that shortly after giving the interview in 2011, the duchess emailed Epstein to call him a “supreme friend” – and say she had not used the word “paedophilia” in reference to him.
She wrote to him: “As you know, I did not, absolutely not, say the ‘P word’ about you but understand it was reported that I did.
“I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family.”
A spokesperson for the 66-year-old stressed the email was sent after Epstein had threatened to sue her for defamation – in an effort to convince him not to.
“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,” they said. “Like many people, she was taken in by his lies.”
But days later several charities dropped Fergie as their patron or ambassador like a stone, and a heavy monolith at that. The only charity she’s still believed to be linked with is her own foundation, Sarah’s Trust.
This is not her first big scandal. Sarah Ferguson has had a few.
In 1992, amid her separation with Andrew, American financier (another one) John Bryan was snapped sucking on her toes as she sunbathed topless in St Tropez.
Three years later, she backed a project launched by bankrupt businessman Clive Garrard to open a nursing home named after her and had to withdraw her support before Garrard was jailed for VAT fraud.
In 2010, she was at the centre of the ‘cash for access’ scandal, when she was secretly filmed by an undercover reporter offering to sell an introduction to Andrew for £500,000. She was heard boasting: “I can open any door you want.”
It was reported the late Queen repeatedly had to settle Fergie’s debts due to her lavish spending and failed businesses.
Like her ex-husband – the equally shamed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor – Fergie is quitting Royal Lodge and will make her own living arrangements.
But in recent days it’s claimed she could be looking to tap-dance her way out of the UK and into the Iberian sunset next year when leaving Royal Lodge for good.
The mother of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie – who scoop the ‘who has the most embarrassing parents’ competition hands-down – is reportedly eyeing up a guest suite at a £3.6 million luxury oceanfront villa in Portugal.
It’s owned by Eugenie and her businessman husband Jack Brooksbank, and could be a way to kickstart a new life.
How do I now think Brits will react to that news? Two words: “Good riddance!”
