Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has been dropped as patron of Julia’s House as well as The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation after reports of an email she sent to Jeffrey Epstein
A children’s hospice and a food charity have both axed Sarah Ferguson as a patron after it emerged she called Jeffrey Epstein a “supreme friend” in an email.
Julia’s House – a children’s hospice in Dorset and Wiltshire – said it would no longer be appropriate for the duchess to hold the position considering her correspondence with Epstein.
In a statement it said: “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.”
Meanwhile, a food charity has also dropped the duchess as its patron. A statement from the founders of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBEs, today read: “We were disturbed to read of Sarah, Duchess of York’s, correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein.
“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.”
The email to Epstein, dated April 26 2011, came weeks after she told reporters she would “never have anything to do with” the sex offender again, according to reports.
The message, reported by The Sun newspaper, showed the duchess “humbly apologised” to Epstein for linking him to paedophilia in the media, labelling him “steadfast” and “generous”.
Her spokesman said it was sent “in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats”.
The duchess’s interview with the Evening Standard on March 7 2011 saw her apologise for accepting £15,000 from Epstein.
She told the newspaper: “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.
“Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.”
Reports suggest that a little over a month later, the duchess sent an email from her private account to the sex offender, apologising to him and telling him she was “bedridden with fear”.
Her message 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.”
It continued: “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 over-riding fear. I am sorry.”
