Newly surfaced correspondence has cast a fresh spotlight on the financial entanglements between members of the British Royal Family and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The documents suggest a sustained, private financial relationship with Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, following Epstein’s release from prison in 2009.
According to the leaked messages, Epstein indicated that Ferguson was quick to re-establish contact after his discharge, allegedly visiting him in New York with her two daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, in what was described as a celebratory gesture. The communications further detail claims of financial support spanning approximately fifteen years, purportedly extending well beyond a previously acknowledged sum.
The messages reportedly depict repeated requests from Ferguson for monetary assistance, including one instance where she inquired about borrowing a significant amount to address personal expenses. In a noted exchange, she is said to have made a lighthearted reference to visiting Epstein’s private island.
Epstein is alleged to have expressed frustration over loans that went unpaid, including funds used to settle a debt with a former staff member. The correspondence also references him providing preparatory advice for a major television interview Ferguson gave in the 1990s.
This development emerges alongside ongoing questions regarding the finances of Ferguson’s former husband, Prince Andrew. His tenure at the Royal Lodge, a property leased from the Crown Estate, has drawn particular attention. While the official annual rent is nominal, the substantial initial renovation costs he incurred were structured as advanced rental payments. The arrangement stipulates a potential reimbursement from the Crown Estate should he vacate the property prematurely.
Royal observers have expressed bewilderment over how the Duke sustains the estate’s upkeep without a visible source of income, especially following the loss of his royal patronages and his removal from the sovereign grant. He is not believed to have inherited significant personal wealth from late monarchs.
The financial scrutiny surrounding Prince Andrew remains intertwined with the fallout from his association with Epstein, which ultimately led to his withdrawal from public duties. Despite the controversies affecting their parents, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie retain their positions within the royal family by right of birth.
Sources close to Ferguson have previously emphasized her enduring personal loyalty to Prince Andrew, characterizing her connection to the royal family as one of steadfast support rather than formal privilege.
