Charity Backed By Prince William and Kate Middleton Faces Major Scrutiny Amid Epstein Scandal
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of child sexual abuse that some readers may find distressing.
Time and again, the royal family has been forced to manage the fallout from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and now the shadow of that scandal has widened. A cancer charity long supported by Prince William and Kate Middleton is facing scrutiny after accepting the resignation of a trustee over her 20-year friendship with the disgraced financier. Nicole Junkermann, a German countess, stepped down from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which funds the hospital that treated Middleton during her 2024 cancer treatment.
Junkermann, a renowned technology investor, exchanged hundreds of emails with the disgraced financier, according to documents released by the US Department of Justice. As reported by The Telegraph, in one message, she referred to Epstein as 'baby' and wrote, "You are in my heart," calling him 'Mr Wonderful.' The German countess also appeared to use her controversial friendship to expand her professional network, connecting with high-profile figures in his circle. At one point, the two invested together in an Israeli security start-up called Carbyne. Emails show she stayed in contact with Epstein while he was in prison in 2008 for indecent assault against minors and continued contact until weeks before his 2019 arrest.
In one controversial email, she downplayed the seriousness of Epstein's actions. Responding to a letter published in The New York Times defending him at the time, she wrote, "Cross fingers it is just a wave, and it goes away again." After the fallout, Junkermann's spokesperson revealed that she had stepped back "by mutual agreement" from the organization so they can "remain entirely focused on their mission without distraction." They added, "The protection and upholding of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and its vital work is her absolute priority, and she will remain deeply supportive of the charity and its mission."
A spokesperson for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity also confirmed in a statement, "In view of the ongoing media interest and her wish to support the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, Nicole Junkermann has offered her resignation as Trustee, which has been accepted."
As for the charity's ties to the Waleses, William has served as its president since 2007, following in the footsteps of his late mother, Princess Diana. Last year, the royal couple became joint patrons of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in January, the same month Middleton shared that she was in remission from cancer.
Interestingly, this is not the first time that a cause closely linked to William and Middleton has been dragged into the Epstein scandal. On February 11, William's Earthshot Prize was reported to the Charity Commission by the anti-monarchy group Republic. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the CEO of one of its founding partners, DP World, was recently exposed for his friendship with Epstein. As per PEOPLE, Republic wrote that DP World had donated at least $1.3 million to the organization, adding that "Sulayem and William have been seen together on more than one occasion, with Sulayem showing his direct support for the charity."
If you know of any children who are being subjected to abuse, please contact The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 422-4453.