Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, have recently been seen departing Royal Lodge at Windsor Castle, an appearance that follows renewed scrutiny over Sarah's past communications with the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The Duke was reportedly driving, looking anxious, while the Duchess, with whom he remains close, appeared intent on avoiding photographs. This emergence comes amidst revelations from the Mail on Sunday detailing how Sarah Ferguson wrote a 'grovelling apology' to Epstein in 2011 for publicly disavowing him after his conviction for child sexual abuse offences. She reportedly insisted that her public statement was solely to protect her career as a children's author, having been financially assisted by Epstein.

The newly revealed correspondence, including an email from April 26, 2011, shows Sarah 'humbly apologising' to Epstein, referring to him as a 'steadfast, generous and supreme friend,' just weeks after telling the press she had cut all ties. Another email from January 22, 2011, thanked Epstein for his help with her substantial debts, calling him 'my dear, dear friend Jeffrey.' This contradicted her earlier interview statement that year describing her involvement with Epstein as a 'gigantic error of judgment.'

A spokesperson for Sarah has since stated that the emails were sent under advice to counteract an 'aggressive threat' from Epstein to sue her for defamation, after she publicly associated him with paedophilia. The spokesperson emphasized that the Duchess deeply regrets any association with Epstein, abhors paedophilia, and has worked to support vulnerable young people, having been 'taken in by his lies' like many others.

These developments have once again cast an uncomfortable spotlight on the Yorks' proximity to the Royal Family. King Charles is now reportedly considering measures to prevent his brother and ex-sister-in-law from participating in private Royal Family occasions. Prince Andrew has already relinquished all public duties and is barred from official royal events due to his association with Epstein. However, he has continued to attend private family gatherings, including the annual walk to church at Sandringham on Christmas Day and events at Windsor Castle at Easter, and most recently, the funeral of the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025, alongside senior royals. This public presence despite the controversies has caused shock.

Sources indicate that King Charles has exhausted 'every avenue available to him' to distance his brother, including cutting private funding, withdrawing security, and attempting to persuade him to downsize from Royal Lodge. The Monarch may now be compelled to explore options to restrict Andrew's attendance at private family events, or at least ensure a less conspicuous presence, amid fears of further 'explosive' revelations, including potential access by US investigators to a damaging 'cache' of emails from the Duke to Epstein. The King's potential ban is seen as the 'last sanction he may be able to take.'

Prince Andrew's own past associations with Epstein, notably the 2001 photograph with Virginia Giuffre (then 17), who accused him of sexual assault, have long tarnished his reputation. He settled an out-of-court lawsuit with Giuffre in 2022, while denying her claims. Epstein died by suicide in August 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate, described Sarah Ferguson as a 'frenemy' who 'lusted after' Epstein, suggesting a deeper relationship. The ongoing scandal raises concerns that publishers and charities might sever ties with the Duchess, impacting her career as a children's author.