Sarah Ferguson’s Charity Shuts Down Following Epstein Document Release

Sarah’s Trust, the charity founded by Sarah Ferguson, the former wife of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, will close “for the foreseeable future” just days after the release of documents related to her association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The announcement comes after months of internal discussions regarding the charity’s future, according to a spokesperson.

On January 30, 2024, the US Department of Justice made public over three million documents linked to Epstein, revealing further details about his interactions with both Ferguson and her ex-husband. In a statement released on February 2, the spokesperson confirmed the decision to shut down the charity, expressing regret but emphasizing pride in its achievements.

The spokesperson said, “Our chair Sarah Ferguson and the board of trustees have agreed that with regret the charity will shortly close for the foreseeable future. This has been under discussion and in train for some months.” They highlighted the charity’s contributions, which included partnerships with over 60 organizations across more than 20 countries, providing education, healthcare, crisis response, and environmental support. Notably, the charity delivered over 150,000 aid parcels during the Covid-19 pandemic and provided medical training for those affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Recent documents reveal correspondence between Ferguson and Epstein that adds to the scrutiny surrounding their relationship. In an email dated September 21, 2011, Ferguson appeared to confront Epstein, stating, “It was soooo crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew. And that really hurt me deeply.” This sentiment reflects the complex nature of their interactions, particularly given Epstein’s notorious history.

Additional emails disclosed in the document release suggest that Epstein sought to manage Ferguson’s public image after she expressed regret over their past association. In March 2011, Epstein requested a publicist to draft a statement for Ferguson following her comments to the media. She reportedly told Epstein that she “did not” and “would not” refer to him as a “P” in an effort to protect her own reputation.

The emails also detail Epstein’s attempts to maintain contact with Ferguson, including inquiries about her daughters during his visits to London. Ferguson’s warm messages, such as thanking Epstein for “being the brother I have always wished for,” come despite the troubling context of his legal issues, which included a 2008 conviction for procuring minors for prostitution.

The document release also sheds light on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s connections to Epstein. Previous reports indicated that Andrew was stripped of his titles following allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by Epstein and his former partner Ghislaine Maxwell at the age of 17. In 2022, Andrew settled a civil sexual assault case with Giuffre for millions, a claim he continues to deny.

As the fallout from these revelations continues, the closure of Sarah’s Trust marks a significant moment in the ongoing scrutiny of the connections between the British royal family and Epstein. The charity’s shutdown reflects the broader implications of these associations, particularly in light of the extensive documentation now available to the public.