Ryan Prosser
Published January 31, 2026 6:36pm
Updated January 31, 2026 6:36pm
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
Sarah Ferguson is pictured sitting on a couch next to a woman in one of the newly released images in the Epstein files (Picture: The US Justice Department)
Jeffrey Epstein allegedly asked Sarah Ferguson to put out a statement denying he was a paedophile as part of his PR plot, new documents show.
The convicted sexual offender and financier had said the former royal had been ‘duped’ about him and wanted her to say she felt ‘terrible’ in a public apology, newly released emails show.
A person referred to as ‘Fergie’ is also identified in the latest batch of more than three million documents released on Friday by the US Department of Justice which contain disturbing images and communication between Epstein and powerful figures he associated with.
An email revealed that the disgraced financier had asked publisher Mike Sitrick to write up a statement ‘that in an ideal world Fergie would put out’.
The former Duchess of York wrote to Epstein in 2009 thanking him for being ‘the brother I have always wished for’ (Picture: Maureen McLean/Shutterstock)
Another message written by Epstein suggested that ‘Fergie’ had said she could organise ‘tea in Buckingham Palace apts.. or Windsor Castle’ in 2009.
There is no suggestion or evidence of any wrongdoing on the part of Ms Ferguson.
In an email dated March 2011, Epstein wrote to Mr Sitrick: ‘I think that Fergie can now say, I am not a pedo.. She was DUPED into believeing false stories, by Civil Plaintiffs Attorneys from Florida.
‘They represented themselves as law enforcment (fisten) [sic], and she was told horrible things and she reacted.
‘She now knows that what she was told was based on false hoods, and fabrications desiened to enhance their civill suit. She should out the newspaperes on the offering of money for stories.’
Mr Sitrick replied that the Duchess should put out an apology saying she was ‘mistaken’ and ‘feels terrible’.
He added that if the former royal refused to comply, they should threaten her with legal action.
‘She created this problem. She needs to fix it and as I know everyone knows time is of the essence here’, he wrote.
But he also advised Epstein: ‘You really can’t worry about her, in my view, you need to worry about you.
‘She certainly isn’t concerned about your or your reputation.’
The following day Epstein instructed Mr Sitrick to draft a statement the former Duchess could put out, to which the publicist replied ‘with pleasure’.
Andrew and Sarah pictured with a financial advisor in an image sent to Epstein (Picture: Department of Justice)
Ms Ferguson herself thanked Epstein in 2009 for being the ‘brother I have always wished for’, adding she had ‘never been more touched’ by a friend’s kindness.
On August 3, 2009, the former royal shared details with Epstein about her ‘Sarah Ferguson brand’ including interest from Tommy Hilfiger, media executive Ben Silverman and NBC.
She wrote: ‘In just one week, after your lunch, it seems the energy has lifted.
‘I have never been more touched by a friends kindness than your compliment to me infront of my girls.
‘Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for.’
The exchanges are all dated after 2008, when Epstein was convicted for prostituting minors.
Jeffrey Epstein places his arm around Ghislaine Maxwell at an event in New York in 2005 (Picture: Getty Images)
Ms Ferguson has maintained that her friendship with Epstein was a ‘a gigantic error of judgment.’
She said in a 2011 interview with The Telegraph: ‘I personally, on behalf of myself, deeply regret that Jeffrey Epstein became involved in any way with me.
‘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.’
Other newly released files shed further light on Epstein’s relationship with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his family.
Epstein was shown to have been invited for ‘mysterious mischief’ at the now disgraced prince’s 50th birthday party in February 26, 2010.
The invitation, sent to the financier from the Duchess via Andrew’s deputy private secretary Amanda Thirsk, asks for ‘your presents, your presence and your humour’ at drinks and dinner in St James’s Palace.
Epstein replied that he was ‘not able’ to attend the bash after being chased up by Ms Thirsk in a follow-up email.
More Trending
-
Parents sue IVF clinic after giving birth to someone else’s baby
Channel: US US 14 hours ago By Brooke Davies - Donald Trump accused of abusing underage girl in DOJ released Epstein files
- Elon Musk asked Jeffrey Epstein when he could visit for island's 'wildest party'
- ICE says immigrant with smashed face and skull 'ran headfirst into a wall'
The latest batch of thousands of new files linked to the Epstein investigation included images of a man, believed to be Andrew, crouched on all fours over a woman, who is lying sprawled on the floor.
Andrew was stripped of his royal titles by his brother, the King, last year.
He is due to move out of his taxpayer-funded home at Royal Lodge in Windsor and relocate to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate.
The former duke has always denied accusations of any wrongdoing.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Arrow MORE: Disturbing new Epstein files appear to show Andrew on all fours over woman
Arrow MORE: Elon Musk asked Jeffrey Epstein when he could visit for island’s ‘wildest party’
Arrow MORE: Epstein files show Andrew’s baffling question to paedophile after prison release
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source News UpdatesStay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.
Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy