Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, reportedly sent a jaw-dropping email in 2011 calling Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, her “supreme friend," according to The BBC.
Recent reports from The Sun and the Mail on Sunday have unearthed this startling correspondence, which stands in stark contrast to the Duchess’s public condemnation of Epstein that same year, while renewed scrutiny surrounds his life and connections through newly released documents.
Let’s rewind to the timeline of this mess. Epstein, a well-connected financier, was jailed three years before 2011 for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
His associations with the elite, including past and present presidents, later brought accusations of trafficking young women and girls for sexual exploitation.
Fast forward to 2011, and the Duchess was singing a different tune in public. In an interview that year, she called her past involvement with Epstein a “gigantic error of judgment” and vowed never to have anything to do with him again.
Yet, mere weeks after that public stance, she reportedly emailed Epstein with honeyed words. The message, as revealed by the newspapers, gushed over him as a “steadfast, generous” ally to her family. Talk about a flip-flop that could give even the most seasoned politician a run for their money.
“I know you feel hellaciously let down by me,” she wrote, according to the reports. If that’s not a masterclass in mixed signals, what is? It’s hard to reconcile this with her earlier promise to cut ties completely.
Now, here’s where the plot thickens. A spokesperson for the Duchess claims this 2011 email was sent under duress to placate Epstein, who threatened to sue her for defamation after her public statements. It’s a convenient explanation, but does it hold water in the court of public opinion?
The email also reportedly clarified that she hadn’t used a certain inflammatory term about Epstein, despite media reports suggesting otherwise. One has to wonder if this was damage control or a genuine olive branch to a man convicted of heinous crimes.
Epstein’s shadow looms large over many high-profile figures, and this isn’t just about one email. His connections, including with the Duchess’s ex-husband, Prince Andrew, have led to serious consequences, like Andrew stepping back from public duties after settling claims of sexual abuse out of court with no admission of liability.
Epstein himself met a grim end in 2019, found dead by suicide in a New York jail while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. His death didn’t close the book on his sordid story, as a trove of documents recently released by a U.S. congressional panel continues to expose details of his life and friendships.
Even figures like Lord Mandelson, recently sacked as the UK’s ambassador to the U.S., have felt the ripple effects of post-conviction ties to Epstein. It’s a stark reminder that associating with such a figure can taint reputations long after the fact.
The Duchess’s spokesperson insists she stands by her past regrets and condemnation of Epstein, emphasizing her thoughts remain with his victims. “Like many people, she was taken in by his lies,” the spokesperson noted. But one can’t help but question if those words ring hollow when private emails paint a different picture.
In a world obsessed with progressive agendas and rewriting history to fit narratives, it’s refreshing to see the hard truth laid bare through these documents.
Yet, there’s also a need for empathy—people can be deceived, and the Duchess’s public regret seems sincere, even if her private actions muddle the message.