Newly disclosed correspondence has brought to light alleged financial connections between a member of the British royal family and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The communications suggest that Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, contacted Epstein shortly after his release from prison in 2009.
According to the reported messages, Epstein claimed Ferguson visited him in New York with her two daughters soon after his discharge. The correspondence further indicates that Epstein provided financial support to Ferguson over many years, with sums discussed reportedly exceeding what had been previously acknowledged. One alleged request from Ferguson referenced borrowing a significant amount to cover expenses, alongside a remark about visiting Epstein’s private island.
This development coincides with separate, ongoing questions regarding the financial arrangements of her former husband, Prince Andrew. Reports indicate he holds a long-term lease on a royal residence with a nominal annual rent, following a substantial initial investment in renovations. However, observers have raised questions about the funding for the property’s ongoing maintenance, particularly as the prince no longer receives a royal allowance from the sovereign.
The prince’s association with Epstein previously led to his stepping back from royal duties. In contrast, his daughters with Ferguson, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, retain their titles by right of birth and have remained distanced from the controversies.
Sources close to Ferguson have previously emphasized her enduring personal support for Prince Andrew, despite their divorce. The latest allegations, stemming from the leaked communications, have refocused attention on the intersection of royal figures and the Epstein scandal.
