Sarah Ferguson's reduced life from charity axe to exile and 'financial destitution'

It took years for Sarah Ferguson to rehabilitate her public image after her marriage to Prince Andrew broke down following a series of salacious scandals. Fergie not only had to work her way back into the public's affection, but that of the Royal Family itself, with some of the most senior royals hugely mistrustful of her - including the late Prince Philip.

However, over the course of time, she finally managed it. Back in with the House of Windsor, she has been included in high-profile family events in recent years, and the public has gradually thrown more and more support behind her, particularly amid her struggles with breast cancer and the single mastectomy she had to undergo in 2023.

A committed grandmother and mother, an author, and a philanthropist was how she became to be seen, and even her consistent defences and loyalty towards her ex-husband - she still lives with the disgraced Duke at Royal Lodge even all these years after they divorced - didn't see her entirely tarred with the same brush as Andrew in the court of public opinion - until now.

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An email has emerged that Sarah sent to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, just weeks after she publicly disavowed him and apologised for taking £15,000 from the disgraced financier.

In the correspondence, Sarah apologised to Epstein for distancing herself from him, and called him her "supreme friend" despite publicly declaring that she would never have any more to do with him.

"I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. And I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that," Sarah wrote from her personal email, as published by The Sun.

"You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family," she continued. In quick succession, the dominoes of Sarah's life have begun to fall.

Charities back away from 'toxic' Duchess

Many of the charities that Sarah worked with have washed their hands of her, including one that she has been connected to for 35 years. Children's hospice Julia's House has announced that they have removed her as its patron calling it "inappropriate" for her to remain in the position.

They said in a statement: "Following information shared this weekend on the Duchess of York's correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein... Julia's House has taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue as a patron of the charity. We have advised the Duchess of York of this decision and thank her for her past support."

The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation - a cause that Sarah had a personal connection to - said that they were "disturbed" by the email. Sarah got involved with the charity after sitting by two recently bereaved parents on a plane, who were taking their daughter's body home after she suffered a fatal allergic reaction at Heathrow airport. She created an ongoing friendship with them and became the patron of the charity they started in their daughter's name.

"We were disturbed to read of Sarah, Duchess of York's, correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein. Sarah Ferguson has not been actively involved with the charity for some years," a spokesperson said.

"She was a patron but, in the light of the recent revelations, we have taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue to be associated with the charity. We would like to thank her for her kindness and support in the past."

The Children's Literacy Charity announced they have asked her to "step down" from her role, and Prevent Breast Cancer, a cause she only became involved with six months ago, has also given her the boot.

British Heart Foundation and National Foundation for Retired Service Animals have also parted ways with her, and the Teenage Cancer Trust, with which she has worked since 1990, said that in light of the email, "We have made the decision to end our relationship with the Duchess of York, and as of today she is no longer a patron".

A PR expert, Mark Borkowski, branded the emails "reputational napalm" to Sarah.

Commercial ventures to follow suit

Sarah has penned many books, from romance novels and children's books to a memoir and weight loss guides. With her public reputation in tatters, her publishing deals might also be under major threat, the PR expert revealed.

"When a children’s hospice decides the reputational risk of association outweighs the patronage of a Duchess, the verdict is clear: she is toxic. Charities are bellwethers for public trust. If they won’t touch her, then publishers, sponsors, and producers won’t either. This isn’t a PR headache - it’s financial destitution dressed up as disgrace," Borkowski explained.

Sarah has also worked as a film producer, and TV presenter, work that will likely dry up if the scandal surrounding her email cannot be mitigated.

Sarah living 'in hell'

A close friend of Fergie's has said she is "going through hell" as the scandal unfolds and insisted that it was pure terror at threats that Epstein was making against her and her family after she spoke out against him that led her to reach out through her private email.

Her pal Lizzie Cundy told the Jeremy VineShow, "Well, she is obviously devastated, there is no-one more sorry than Sarah Ferguson, she is regretful, she wishes she never met Jeffery Epstein.

"There are reasons she sent that email. The fact is, he was enraged that she'd publicly condemned him. He was absolutely, beyond saying 'I'm going to get revenge, I'm going to ruin your family.' It was threatening, very dark – and she felt she had no choice but to try and appease him because she was scared for herself, for her family.

"He was probably the most powerful man on the planet, one of the richest men. She was fooled by him like many others. Like The Clintons, Peter Mandelson and many others."

Cundy also claimed Epstein "got very nasty" after Sarah's publication condemnation of him, during which she said to The Evening Standard, that "I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf. I am just so contrite I cannot say. Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again."

Cundy also claimed that Epstein "wanted revenge", and a spokesperson for Sarah Ferguson has said about the recently emerged email, "This email was sent in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats."

Royal home under threat

It's long been understood that King Charles wants both Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson to leave their shared lavish mansion of Royal Lodge and move somewhere more modest.

Prince Andrew, who has a lease with the Crown Estate for the property, has so far refused to budge, stumping up the cash to pay for its upkeep - if he couldn't do this, then he would be in breach of his obligations.

Charles is said to have stopped the large allowance that Andrew formerly received from the late Queen Elizabeth, leaving some to question how exactly the disgraced Duke of York is funding his lifestyle.

But now the former husband and wife are under renewed scrutiny, and Sarah's finances might be under serious threat the the scandal - it remains to be seen how long they might be able to hold onto their 30-room home in Windsor.

Cast out of the royal fold

It took Sarah many years to get back in the Royal Family's good books, even if relations with her ex-husband were far less fraught than those of Diana and Charles in the immediate aftermath of their marital breakdown.

However, she is regularly now included in family events, which Charles also invites Andrew too - but the renewed scrutiny on the couple's ties to Epstein might mean that they face something of a "royal ban" from even private events, some reports have claimed.

A source told the Mail that decreeing Andrew and Sarah are no longer welcome even behind closed doors, "is about the last sanction [Charles] may be able to take" as courtiers brace for the possibility of further details emerging about the couple's relationship with Epstein.

Prince William is reported to have plans to "freeze out" his disgraced uncle when it comes time for him to take the throne, hoping that the York problem will entirely "disappear from public view".