Several charities cut ties with Duchess of York over Epstein email

Several charities have cut ties with Sarah, Duchess of York, after it emerged she sent an email apologising to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein for publicly disowning him.

The duchess - Prince Andrew's ex-wife - has been dropped as a patron of The Teenage Cancer Trust, the British Heart Foundation, children's hospice Julia's House, food allergy charity The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the Children's Literacy Charity and the organisation Prevent Breast Cancer.

It comes after it emerged she had written a gushing message to Epstein, describing him as her "supreme friend".

Julia's House 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."

Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, founders of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, 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."

The Children's Literacy Charity said "given the recent information which has come to light about the Duchess of York and Jeffrey Epstein", it had asked her to step down as patron - adding it would be "inappropriate" for her to continue in the role.

The Teenage Cancer Trust said it had "made the decision to end our relationship with the Duchess of York", while the British Heart Foundation said the duchess was "no longer serving as an ambassador" for the charity.

Meanwhile, Prevent Breast Cancer said the duchess was no longer a patron, adding: "We have advised her of this decision and thank her for her past support."

According to The Sun on Sunday, the duchess had emailed him in April 2011 and "humbly apologised" for linking him to paedophilia in the media a few weeks previously.

She said in the message that he was a "steadfast, generous and supreme friend" to her.

Her spokesperson has since said she only wrote the note because Epstein had threatened to sue her.

The duchess's interview with the Evening Standard on 7 March 2011 saw her apologise for accepting £15,000 from Epstein.

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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."

But The Sun on Sunday reported that little over a month later, the duchess sent an email to the sex offender from her private account.

She apologised to him and said she was "bedridden with fear", the paper reported.

'Her first thoughts are with his victims'

In a statement at the weekend, the duchess's spokesman said: "The duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been, her first thoughts are with his victims.

"Like many people, she was taken in by his lies.

"As soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations against him, she not only cut off contact but condemned him publicly, to the extent that he then threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia.

"She does not resile from anything she said then.

"This email was sent in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats."

(c) Sky News 2025: Several charities cut ties with Duchess of York over Epstein email