Seven UK Charities Sever Ties with Duchess of York over Jeffrey Epstein Emails

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has been widely criticized and faced significant reputational damage after a private 2011 email surfaced in which she apologized to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, calling him a "supreme friend," contradicting her prior public disavowal of him. This revelation led several major UK charities, including the Teenage Cancer Trust, Julia's House, Prevent Breast Cancer, and the British Heart Foundation, to sever ties with her, citing concerns over her association with Epstein. Julia's House explicitly stated it was inappropriate for her to continue as a patron, and political figures like Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney called her position untenable in light of the emails. Ferguson's spokesperson claimed she was "taken in by his lies" and expressed her ongoing regret, emphasizing her thoughts were with Epstein's victims. Despite the scandal, Ferguson was seen recently leaving her residence at Royal Lodge, Windsor, reflecting her resilience amid ongoing public scrutiny. Historically, Ferguson has been subject to various controversies but has maintained a certain underdog appeal, especially in the U.S., where she is seen as someone who bounces back from setbacks.