Sarah Ferguson’s Lame Apology Over Leaked Epstein Email Is a Wake-Up Call for King Charles
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of sexual assault that some readers may find distressing.
Sarah Ferguson recently grabbed headlines again for all the wrong reasons. First, it was a bombshell book exposing her alleged controversial escapades, and now a leaked email to her ‘supreme friend,’ Jeffrey Epstein. On September 20, a 2011 email from Ferguson’s personal account showed her profusely apologizing to Epstein shortly after dissing him in an interview. Following the backlash, she issued an apology through her spokesperson, but it did little to quell public concern, serving instead as a wake-up call for King Charles.
Excerpts from Ferguson’s email were first published by The Sun, wherein she praised Epstein as "a steadfast, generous, and supreme friend to me and my family." After heavy criticism, her spokesperson told the Daily Mail, "The Duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been, her first thoughts are with his victims. Like many people, she was taken in by his lies…This email was sent in the context of advice the Duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats." They stressed that Ferguson’s public condemnation of Epstein was genuine and that he blackmailed her. "As soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations against him, she not only cut off contact but condemned him publicly, to the extent that he then threatened to sue her for defamation."
Many have, however, argued that her apology wasn't genuine and instead served as a stark warning for Charles that the Epstein scandal is unlikely to fade away, and he should instead prepare for more bombshells. This will likely leave Charles and the Firm seriously concerned, as the monarchy's popularity has seen a sharp decline in recent years, partly over the Epstein scandal. Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, told Newsweek, "The big obvious issues are Harry and Meghan and Prince Andrew."
In the aftermath of the leak, the King is allegedly also facing pressure from Prince William to banish Prince Andrew and Ferguson from family events. Commenting on William’s alleged loss of patience, a source told the Daily Mail, "William feels even more strongly than the King that Andrew and Fergie are an embarrassment and will be urging his father to act. The optics of that pair of chancers guffawing away [at events] look terrible." While the Prince refuses to take no for an answer, Charles is reportedly reluctant to adhere to his request. According to the insider, Charles does not want to cut them off entirely because "the difference between the Yorks and the Sussexes is that Andrew and Fergie have never publicly criticized the monarchy or the King."
While the King has not yet come to a conclusive decision, several other charities associated with Ferguson have severed ties with her in the last 24 hours. These include the Teenage Cancer Trust, Julia’s House, Prevent Breast Cancer, and the British Heart Foundation.
If you are being subjected to sexual assault, or know of anyone who is, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673)