Sarah, Duchess of York has been dropped as patron of six charities following an email she sent to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. On Monday, Julia's House, a children's hospice in Corfe Mullen, said in a statement: "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."
Following the announcement from Julia's House, food allergy charity The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation also announced it had dropped the duchess as a patron. In a statement, founders Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse said: "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."
A third charity has dropped the Duchess as their patron. In a statement, Prevent Breast Cancer said: "The Duchess of York is no longer a patron of Prevent Breast Cancer. We have advised her of this decision and thank her for her past support." Sarah had been a patron of the charity since October 2024 following her own breast cancer diagnosis in June 2023. Another charity shortly followed suit, dropping the Duchess as their patron as well. The Teenage Cancer Trust, who have worked alongside Sarah for 35 years, has also announced that they would be parting ways with the Duchess, according to a Spokeswoman.
Two other charities have since come out to announce that they had parted ways with the Duchess, including the Children's Literacy Charity and the British Heart Foundation, who said in a statement: "We are grateful for the Duchess' support for our work and thank her for her past efforts to help us save and improve lives by funding pioneering research into cardiovascular disease."
© GettyThe message, reported by The Sun newspaper, showed the Duchess "humbly apologised" to Epstein for linking him to paedophilia in the media, calling him a "supreme friend," and 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 email, dated 26 April 2011, was reportedly sent weeks after Sarah told reporters she would "never have anything to do with" the sex offender again. The Duchess's interview with the Evening Standard on 7 March 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."
Message to Epstein
A little over a month later, the Duchess sent a message to Epstein, in which she said: "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 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."
© Getty ImagesSarah's spokesman previously said she had spoken of her regret about her association with Epstein and "does not resile" from condemning him publicly. He added that Epstein had threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia. The financier was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan, in the US, in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex-trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.
It’s been a week of high stakes diplomacy, showstopping glamour and spectacular pageantry, and HELLO! royal editor Emily Nash was lucky enough to watch some of it up close (in case you missed it, here’s her video report from Windsor on day 1).
Over on The HELLO! Royal Club, Emily has just posted her top three takeaways from a week when the worlds of royalty and politics collided in unforgettable fashion. Click the button below to read the post.
