LONDON — Following a grand state visit from President Donald Trump, the British royal family is back in the spotlight, but not for good reasons. Just days after the visit, the media revealed new details about the royal family’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted financier.
An email from Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, came to light where she called Epstein a “supreme friend” despite his criminal history. This email was sent in 2011, shortly after she had publicly distanced herself from him. Her spokesperson claimed she aimed to counter Epstein’s threat of a defamation lawsuit.
This development adds to the ongoing scrutiny around the royal family’s ties to Epstein, especially concerning Prince Andrew. He faced serious accusations of sexual abuse, which he denied, but he eventually settled a lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre tragically passed away earlier this year, raising discussions about the long-lasting impact of such abuse.
In 2011, Ferguson had described her ties to Epstein as a significant mistake. She had stated, “I abhor pedophilia and any sexual abuse of children.” Yet, shortly after distancing herself from Epstein, she emailed him to clarify that she never called him the “P word.” She expressed that he had always been a loyal friend to her and her family.
Her spokesperson has since noted that she was misled by Epstein’s assurances. Once she learned about the serious nature of his crimes, she cut off contact and condemned him publicly. “This email was sent to ease his threats,” they stated.
Epstein died in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges. Andrew lost his military and royal roles after a judge dismissed a bid to dismiss Giuffre’s lawsuit against him. He eventually paid a large sum to settle the case, although he still denies any wrongdoing. Giuffre’s death has sparked conversations about the devastating effects of abuse and the long road to justice.
Even after these events, other royals have been cautious about involving themselves with Andrew. In a troubling twist, in December 2024, Andrew found himself linked to an alleged spying incident involving a Chinese national barred from the UK for security reasons.
This ongoing saga raises questions about accountability and the lasting repercussions of associations like those with Epstein. As public scrutiny continues, it will be intriguing to see how the royal family’s image evolves in light of these revelations.
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