Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson has been criticized for calling convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein her “supreme friend” in a 2011 email. The Sun and Mail on Sunday reported that the email was sent just weeks after Ferguson publicly distanced herself from Epstein. According to Ferguson, she had made a “gigantic error of judgment” when befriending Epstein, who was jailed three years earlier for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
In an interview in 2011, Ferguson stated her regret over her association with Epstein and condemned his actions as “wrong”. However, the email revealed that she did not use the word “paedophilia” to describe Epstein’s crimes. The duchess claimed she was trying to calm down Epstein after he threatened to sue her for defamation.
Ferguson has since stood by her public condemnation of Epstein and claimed she was taken in by his lies. Her relationship with Epstein remains a subject of controversy, particularly after Prince Andrew, her husband at the time, faced allegations of abusing a woman linked to Epstein. The royal stepped back from public duties amid the scandal.
The recent release of documents related to Epstein’s life has reignited scrutiny over his relationships and friendships, including with the Duchess of York and Lord Mandelson, who was sacked as UK ambassador to the US after revelations about their connections to Epstein.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgj11l3wd35o