Email exchanges allegedly between Sarah Ferguson and Jeffrey Epstein appear to have thrown new light on the relationship between the former Duchess of York and the disgraced late financier.
In the latest tranche of the Epstein files by the US Department of Justice, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former wife features in multiple email exchanges with the convicted sex offender, in which she discusses the Royal Family.
The mother of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie also appears in photographs released in the Epstein files, alongside unidentified young women.
There are also some points in the email exchanges at which Epstein appears to ignore Ferguson’s emails, while she continues to urge him to reply.
Sarah Ferguson (right) pictured with an unknown female
US Department of Justice
Ferguson, who was married to Andrew until 1996, continued to live with the now former prince after their separation. The files have also included further mentions of her ex-husband, alongside images of him hunched over an unidentified woman on the floor.
Appearing in the Epstein files does not mean wrongdoing. Andrew has always denied the allegations made against him linked to Epstein.
Several charities have severed ties with Ferguson since her alleged correspondence with Epstein became public amid the Epstein scandal.
A statement released by the Ferguson’s spokesperson in in 2025 read: “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. 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 for associating him with paedophilia.”
Here are some of the things Ferguson allegedly discussed with Epstein that emerged in the latest tranche of documents.
During one exchange, an email address that simply identifies as “Sarah” appears to praise the disgraced financier and ask him to get married.
The email was sent six months after Epstein was released from prison after he served a 13-month sentence for child sex abuse convictions.
“You are a legend. I really don’t have the words to describe, my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness. Xx I am at your service. Just marry me,” the sender writes.
It’s not the only time that the email address appears to hint at the idea of nuptials. In September 2009, an email from Sarah appears to refer to a woman with a “great body”.
“You can marry her too. She is single and a great body,” she writes, before adding: “Ok well Marry me and then we will employ her.”
US Department of Justice
2. “Brother I always wished for”
In 2009, Sarah heaped further praise on Epstein in another email dated August 3.
In the message, the sender appears to suggest that Epstein helped with a number of brand deals, including with the apparel brand Tommy Hilfiger.
“In just one week, after your lunch, it seems the energy has lifted,” the writer says. The message then goes on to suggest Sarah brought her ‘girls’ to see Epstein, which would have been one month after his release from prison.
“I have never been more touched by a friends [sic] kindness than your compliment to me infront of my girls. Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for,” she wrote.
US Department of Justice
3. “Only friends with me to get to Andrew”
In another exchange in September 2011, a sender named Sarah appears to admit that the pair hadn’t kept in touch and even suggests she had been used.
Reaching out on BBM, (BlackBerry Messenger), Sarah congratulated Epstein after hearing he had welcomed a baby boy, before saying she had been hurt by him.
There has never been any public acknowledgement that Epstein had children, but this email chain would suggest that people in his inner circle were aware of at least one baby, who would now be a teenager.
The news, however, seems to have hit a nerve with Sarah.
“You have disappeared. I did not even know you were having a baby. It was s00000 crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew. And that really hurt me deeply. More than you will know,” she wrote.
US Department of Defense
4. Lunch plans after prison with daughters
On July 27, 2009, Sarah sent an email discussing plans for lunch with Epstein.
“What address shall we come to. It will be myself, Beatrice and Eugenie. Are we having lunch?” she asks.
A little over a week earlier, Epstein had been freed from prison after serving a sentence for soliciting sex from underage girls as young as 14.
Sarah’s daughters would have been 19 and 20 years old at the time.
US Department of Justice
In July 2010, Sarah was left with “no words” after she claimed the UK press was “ready to exterminate” her.
Ferguson had been caught in a tabloid stitch-up, appearing to accept $500,000 in return for access to the then Prince Andrew, who was a UK trade envoy at the time.
Writing to Epstein after the scandal, she recalled how no woman ‘left the Royal family with her head”.
“As I predicted many many months ago, the british press is ready to exterminate me, and it seems that Price WaterhouseCoopers and the palace system are not equipped to deal with all of this huge wave of negativity.” she wrote. “Therefore I have to return to the uk, and be exterminated and face the thunderous music.”
“I am now 1000 percent being hung out to dry, just as I predicted you will see, the Press will have me exiled. I am totally on my own now. This is beyond scandalous and nobody can do anything,” she continued.
She added: “Just as I always said, no woman has ever left the royal family with her head, and the cannot behead me, therefore they will discredit me.”
US Department of Justice
In the email chain, she also said that Epstein was her “pillar.”
6. “I urgently need £20,000 for rent today”
In October 2009, Epstein appears to have emailed Sarah, informing her that there may be a “rat” leaking news of her money troubles to the press.
The same day, Sarah says the situation is being handled by her lawyer but she’s still facing money struggles.
“I urgently need 20,000 pounds for rent today. The landlord has threatened to go to the newspapers if I don’t pay. Any brainwaves?” she writes.
“It is getting more more and close. Aaaggh.”
It’s unclear whether there was any further correspondence following this.
US Department of Justice
7. Eugenie’s “sh**ging weekend”
In another 2010 communication, a redacted email address tells the convicted sex offender about Eugenie’s love life, who would have been 20 at the time.
Epstein writes “NY?” to which the redacted email replies: “Not sure yet. Just waiting for Eugenie to come back from a sh**ging weekend!!”
US Department of Justice
8. “Tea at the palace”
It appears that Sarah was also willing to pull strings to get Epstein into the upper echelons of the Royal house, including tea at St James’ Palace.
Epstein would receive invites to fancy gatherings from the Duchess.
One invite, sent by assistant Amanda Thirsk, wrote: “Beatrice, Eugenie and I would love to invite you to celebrate the 50 years of Papa/Andrew.”
US Department of Justice
9. Emails Jeffrey while he’s in prison
Ferguson also appears to have emailed Epstein while he was in prison, asking her for help with her business.
Epstein was released from prison on 22 July 2009 after serving 13 months of an 18-month sentence for soliciting a minor.
On June 14, less than a week before his release, she emails Epstein saying, “I need to ask you how I start The Mothers Army company so it can be commercial, how do I do that? Can you help me?”
Mothers Army is a company designed “to help amplify the voices of Mothers all over the world”, is listed in Ferguson’s name.
Epstein then gives her advice about finding five women who “will not get jealous of your success.”
Sarah then responds: “But Jeffrey what kind of women? You say 5.. I could get Joan Branson Jeanne, Geldof girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell Liz Murdoch Ali, Bono wife, Just for kick offs…”
US Department of Justice
10. “Always on your team”
While many emails appear to conceal the identity of the sender, email chains could suggest that Epstein and Ferguson considered each other as close allies.
In August 2011, Epstein sends an email to an address only identified as ‘Ferg’ in which he writes: “when you first got in trouble, you said to me , jeffrey i know that as i told everyone youre either on the team or off I knew you were always on my team. that was right.”
The unidentified responder replies: “I am on yours and you on mine. With great love and strength.”
US Department of Justice