Charities Drop Duchess of York After Epstein Threats, Emails Emerge

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has faced significant backlash after it emerged that she sent a 2011 email referring to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as her "supreme friend," despite previously publicly condemning him and apologizing for accepting £15,000 from him. This email surfaced following revelations that Epstein made a chilling phone call to Ferguson's spokesperson, threatening to "destroy" her family in a calm, menacing tone described as "Hannibal Lecter-style." The pressure from Epstein's threats reportedly compelled Ferguson to maintain contact with him despite her public disavowal, leading to a wave of charities severing ties with her, including the Teenage Cancer Trust and the British Heart Foundation. Ferguson's spokesperson highlighted the intense pressure she was under to protect her family, emphasizing that these events preceded the Duke of York's own public fall from grace linked to Epstein. The scandal has also sparked discussions about her and Prince Andrew's future roles and residence within the royal family. Overall, the situation underscores the complex and damaging fallout from the Duchess's association with Epstein, blending public condemnation with private coercion.