Jeffrey Epstein orchestrated a plan to blackmail Sarah Ferguson after she publicly distanced herself from the disgraced financier and condemned his alleged crimes, according to private emails that have come to light.
In March 2011, Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, told the Evening Standard that she had "deep regret" over her association with Epstein and apologized for accepting £15,000 from him. She stated, "I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children," and called her relationship with Epstein a "terrible, terrible error of judgement."
However, emails published by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of the Epstein Files indicate that Epstein and his team compiled a dossier of messages and information related to his close relationship with Ferguson. These exchanges, initially sent to Epstein's lawyers and a public relations expert, were uncovered months later by an investigation.
One such email revealed Ferguson's attempt to arrange a visit to Epstein's Palm Beach home with her daughters, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, who were then 19 and 20 years old. This occurred after Epstein was released from a Florida prison in July 2009, where he had served 13 months of an 18-month sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Epstein's legal team sent a letter to Ferguson's lawyer in April 2011, urging her to "reconsider her current stance." The letter suggested that if she did not, they would "undermine the credibility of those comments by pointing out that your client and her daughters were among the first to enjoy my client's hospitality upon his release from prison and continued to do so until very recently."
Epstein's representatives argued that Ferguson's "unwarranted (or misquoted) comments" had placed him in a "difficult position" and needed to be corrected. Ferguson's representative, however, characterized this communication as "somewhat alarming and could be construed as attempted blackmail."
Further emails between Epstein and his advisors detailed efforts to "turn up the heat" on Ferguson by gathering messages that could portray her negatively. These included instances where Ferguson reportedly asked Epstein for financial assistance, referring to him as "my pillar." Epstein also alleged that Ferguson used his Florida residence to host a lover and a businessman with whom she was pursuing a deal.
Earlier documents had indicated that Epstein sought a public statement from Ferguson asserting he was "not a pedo" and that she had been "duped" by false allegations. In April 2011, less than two months after her interview with the Evening Standard, Ferguson emailed Epstein stating she "did not" and "would not" call him a "P," and that her public statement was an act to "protect my own brand."
Despite publicly disavowing Epstein in the media, subsequent emails revealed Ferguson had written to him after his conviction, calling him a "supreme friend." An investigation by The Mail on Sunday last October claimed Epstein had secretly financed Ferguson for 15 years, with messages suggesting his financial support extended far beyond the £15,000 she admitted receiving.
A spokesman for Ferguson declined to comment on the latest revelations. Prince Andrew, Ferguson's ex-husband, has faced allegations of sexual assault, which he denies, and settled a civil claim out of court. He stepped down from royal duties in 2019. The U.S. government's release of documents from Epstein's estate intensified scrutiny on his relationships, leading to the King stripping Prince Andrew of his royal titles, reverting Ferguson to her maiden name.