Reuters
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Several charities stated on Monday they’d minimize their links with Sarah Ferguson, Britain’s Duchess of York, after media reviews that she had described the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as a “supreme friend” in an e mail.
According to the Sun on Sunday newspaper, Ferguson, 65, the ex-wife of King Charles’ brother, Prince Andrew, despatched the message to Epstein in 2011, weeks after giving an interview through which she stated she would by no means contact him once more.
Epstein had pleaded responsible in 2008 to a state prostitution cost in Florida and agreed to register as a intercourse offender.
The Sun stated Ferguson, usually recognized by the nickname “Fergie,” had emailed the disgraced financier to apologize for her feedback and say he had at all times been a steadfast pal to her and her household.
Ferguson’s spokesperson declined to touch upon the charities’ motion, having beforehand stated that she despatched the e-mail to Epstein as a result of she needed to counter the risk that he may sue her for defamation.
On Monday, a minimum of 5 charities stated the duchess might now not proceed as one of their patrons.
“We were disturbed to read of Sarah, Duchess of York’s, correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein,” Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, the founders of one of the charities, the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, stated in an announcement.
“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.”
The popularity of the duchess’ former husband, Prince Andrew, was destroyed largely by his friendship with Epstein.
In 2022, Andrew was stripped of most of his titles and faraway from royal duties resulting from his connections to the financier, whereas companies and charities additionally distanced themselves
from him.