Sarah Ferguson

Seven charities have dropped the Duchess of York as patron after leaked emails appeared to show her apologising to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein for disowning him. Both the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) and The Children’s Literacy Charity have also reportedly dropped Sarah Ferguson, according to the BBC. Their decisions came after it emerged that Ms Ferguson had called Epstein a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend”, according to a leaked email dated 26 April 2011 – just weeks after she told reporters she would “never have anything to do with” the convicted sex offender again. A spokesperson for the duchess previously said she had sent the email only in an attempt to “assuage Epstein and his threats”, claiming he had threatened to sue her for defamation for her comments in the media. Julia’s House said in a statement issued to The Independent : “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.” “Sarah Ferguson has not been actively involved with the charity for some years. She was a patron, but in the light of the recent revelations, we have taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue to be associated with the charity. “We would like to thank her for her kindness and support in the past.” "We would like to thank the Duchess of York for her support." A spokesperson for the British Heart Foundation said: “Sarah, Duchess of York, is no longer serving as an ambassador for the British Heart Foundation. The Children’s Literacy Trust issued a statement which read: “Given the recent information which has come to light about the Duchess of York and Jeffrey Epstein, the Children’s Literacy Charity has asked the Duchess of York to step down from her role as patron. “We are grateful for the Duchess of York’s support for children’s literacy over the years but now feel it would be inappropriate for her to continue as patron of the charity.” The leaked email, first reported by The Sun on Sunday and the Daily Mail , reportedly showed that the duchess had “humbly apologised” to Epstein for linking him to paedophilia in the media, before lathering him with praise about his strength and generosity. The duchess gave an interview to the Evening Standard on 7 March 2011 in which she apologised for accepting £15,000 from Epstein. She went on to issue what appeared at the time to be a heartfelt apology for her association with the disgraced financier, who died in prison eight years later in 2019. Little over a month later, reports suggest the duchess sent an email from her private account to the convicted paedophile, apologising and telling him she had felt “broken and lost” after being told not to associate with him. The duchess’s spokesperson has said she was “taken in by his lies” and sent the email only to avoid the threat of defamation. They said: “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.” The charities’ removal of Ms Ferguson from her position comes just days after former UK ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson , was sacked by prime minister Sir Keir Starmer on 11 September, after correspondence emerged showing the Labour grandee expressing support for Epstein.