Sarah Ferguson’s Charity Shuts Down Following Epstein Document Release

The charity founded by Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, has announced its closure just days after the release of documents related to her association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Sarah’s Trust confirmed that it would cease operations “for the foreseeable future,” following several months of internal discussions.

The closure comes in the wake of a significant disclosure on January 30, 2024, when the US Department of Justice released over three million documents connected to Epstein, which include details about his interactions with both Ferguson and her former husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. A spokesperson for the charity stated that the decision was made with regret but had been under consideration for some time.

In a statement, the spokesperson elaborated on the charity’s achievements, highlighting partnerships with over 60 organizations across more than 20 countries. The charity has provided essential services including education, healthcare, and crisis response, delivering over 150,000 aid packages during the Covid pandemic and supporting medical initiatives for those impacted by the war in Ukraine.

The documents released by the US authorities revealed personal communications between Ferguson and Epstein, including an email dated September 21, 2011, in which she expressed feelings of betrayal. In one message, she wrote, “it was soooo crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew,” expressing deep emotional hurt over their relationship.

Further correspondence from March 2011 indicates Epstein’s attempts to manage Ferguson’s public image following her controversial comments regarding their past friendship. He reportedly requested publicist Mike Sitrick to draft a statement for Ferguson to release in the aftermath of her admissions of regret.

The documents also contain exchanges that show Ferguson’s ongoing relationship with Epstein, even after his 2008 conviction for procuring minors for prostitution. In one email from August 2009, she referred to Epstein as “the brother I have always wished for,” while other messages discussed personal meetings and family matters.

Additionally, the released papers include conversations involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who faces ongoing scrutiny following allegations made by Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre has claimed she was trafficked by Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell at the age of 17. In 2022, Andrew reached a financial settlement with Giuffre, a claim he continues to deny, stating he has never met her.

Ferguson’s charity, which has made significant contributions to various humanitarian efforts, now faces an uncertain future. In their final statement, the board expressed pride in the work accomplished through the trust but acknowledged the challenges surrounding its continued operation in light of recent events.