Sarah Ferguson Accepted Secret ‘Loans’ for Years With No Intention of Repaying: Expert
Fresh allegations have again pushed Sarah Ferguson back into the spotlight. Royal author Andrew Lownie has recently claimed that the former Duchess accepted large sums of money over the years that were described as ‘loans’ yet never returned. This report comes at a moment when scrutiny of her past financial dealings has grown sharper, especially as her former husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, faces his own royal reckoning over his long-standing ties with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
As per Lownie in his interview with NewsNation, Ferguson was not just supported by the late financier alone, but there were many people who gave her money. “There were lots of other people giving them money, including Michael David Tang; I think Richard Branson was giving them money… as well as Lily, the Dowager Duchess of Marlborough,” Lownie alleged, also adding, “There were lots of these people who gave them money because they wanted to keep in with them.” The author argued these payments were made under “the guise of loans,” though the expectation of repayment seems to have been wishful thinking, adding, “They thought that she would pay them back, which of course she never did."
Even with Epstein’s case, Lownie suggested that he viewed his own financial contributions as a strategic investment. “He felt it was a good investment as (the Yorks) would introduce him to other royals,” he remarked. This comment paints a stark picture of how money and access were intertwined. Estimates suggest that the former Duchess may have received more than $2 million from Epstein alone over the course of their friendship, with the figures rising significantly if the main benefactors are included. Another insider quoted by Mail on Sunday also echoed Lownie’s view, noting that Mountbatten-Windsor and Ferguson were “in it up to their necks with Epstein.”
The source also argued that despite all the transactions, it was Epstein who eventually cut ties, as being seen with them seemed like a ‘disastrous’ risk for his image. “It was always about the money. This was always going to be their downfall,” the Mail source noted, summing up what many observers now see as an open secret. Despite all the controversies and criticisms, Ferguson has long denied any wrongdoing. This statement, however, now feels like a drop in the ocean compared to the broader reality.
Now with her royal titles gone and books being pulled back from sale, Ferguson’s financial troubles have only intensified. Royal commentators note that her spending habits have been a long-running issue, and those who once stepped in to ‘pick up the tab’ have distanced themselves. "Money has never been an issue for Sarah. She spent more than she had, and somebody else always picked up the tab. She's been very well taken care of over the years by various boyfriends, friends, and acquaintances,” the source told Express. They also added, "Yet for the first time in a good while, she is now seriously worried about how on earth she's going to maintain her lifestyle."
Despite all that, reports have also suggested that because of her money strains, she has also started exploring a lucrative tell-all memoir. With this, she’s hoping to secure a deal large enough to safeguard her future. As per reports, she wants a payment of £10 million (about $12.6 million) and is willing to ‘spill everything’ if the price is right.