Charity founded by Sarah Ferguson shuts down after release of Epstein emails with former duchess

A charity founded by Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, is closing down after recently released emails revealed her extensive friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The shutdown comes amid growing scrutiny of royal connections to the disgraced financier.

Sarah’s Trust, which was dedicated to improving the lives of women and children, announced in a statement late Monday that it would cease operations for the “foreseeable future.” The organization indicated this decision had been “under discussion and in train for some months,” suggesting internal deliberations had preceded the email revelations.

The emails, released Friday by the U.S. Department of Justice, have sent shockwaves through royal circles by exposing Ferguson’s continued contact with Epstein well after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl. In these communications, Ferguson referred to Epstein in strikingly affectionate terms, calling him a “legend” and “the brother I have always wished for.”

Particularly damaging was an exchange from March 2011, where Epstein expressed frustration about an article in London’s Evening Standard that identified him as a pedophile. In response, Ferguson expressed “deep regret” over her ties to him becoming public.

A month later, in another message, someone identified as “Sarah” insisted she “did not” and “would not” call Epstein a “P” – presumably referring to “pedophile” – and claimed she had taken actions to “protect my own brand.” These communications suggest Ferguson was concerned about reputational damage rather than distancing herself from Epstein on moral grounds.

The closure of Ferguson’s charity highlights the continuing fallout from Epstein’s crimes across British society, particularly among the royal family. Her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, was stripped of his royal titles following his own controversial connections to Epstein and allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has consistently denied.

Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre in 2022, who had accused him of sexual assault when she was a minor – allegations that severely damaged his public standing. He has since remained largely absent from public royal duties.

When asked about the situation at the World Governments Summit, Prince Edward, the youngest child of the late Queen Elizabeth II, offered a measured response, emphasizing that it’s “all really important always to remember the victims and who are the victims in all this.” His comments reflect the royal family’s careful approach to addressing the scandal while acknowledging the serious nature of Epstein’s crimes.

The closure of Sarah’s Trust raises questions about the future of Ferguson’s charitable work and her public role. Once a high-profile member of the royal family before her 1996 divorce from Prince Andrew, Ferguson had maintained a public presence through her charitable endeavors and various media appearances.

The timing of the charity’s closure, coinciding with these damaging revelations, suggests that trustees felt the organization’s reputation and ability to function effectively had been compromised. Non-profit organizations rely heavily on public trust and positive perception, both of which may have been irreparably damaged by Ferguson’s documented relationship with Epstein.

The Epstein scandal has continued to reverberate through elite circles globally, with numerous high-profile figures facing scrutiny for their associations with him. The ongoing revelations from unsealed documents and investigations continue to expose networks of powerful individuals who maintained relationships with Epstein despite his criminal history.

As this latest chapter unfolds, victims’ advocates continue to emphasize the importance of accountability and transparency from all those who associated with Epstein, regardless of their social standing or royal connections.