Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, reportedly sent a controversial email in April 2011 to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in which she apologised to him and referred to him as a "supreme friend." This communication starkly contrasted with her public stance just weeks prior, where she had declared she would "never have anything to do with" Epstein again and expressed her strong abhorrence for paedophilia and child sexual abuse.

The email, first reported by The Sun, revealed Fergie "humbly apologising" to Epstein, also describing him as "genuine" and "steadfast." Her spokesperson later clarified that this email was sent under specific circumstances: Epstein had threatened to sue the Duchess for defamation after she publicly linked him to paedophilia in media reports. Consequently, the Duchess was advised to send the email in an attempt to "assuage Epstein and his threats" and prevent further legal complications.

Earlier, on March 7, 2011, the Duchess of York had issued a public apology during an interview with the Evening Standard for accepting £15,000 from Epstein. At that time, she expressed profound regret, stating, "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. Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again."

However, only a little over a month later, the Duchess sent the apologetic email from her private account. The message conveyed her state of mind at the time, reading: "I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. And I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that. You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family." She further elaborated on her fear and inaction: "I am apologising to you today for not replying to your email or reaching out to you. I was bedridden with fear. I was paralysed."

The email continued to explain the advice she received: "I was advised in no uncertain terms, to have nothing to do with you and to not speak or email you. And if I did — I would cause more problems to you, the Duke and myself. I was broken and lost. So please understand. I didn’t want to hurt Andrew one more time. I was in over-riding fear. I am sorry."

Her spokesperson firmly reiterated that the email's purpose was purely to mitigate Epstein's legal threats. "The duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been, her first thoughts are with his victims. Like many people, she was taken in by his lies. As soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations against him, she not only cut off contact but condemned him publicly, to the extent that he then threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia. She does not resile from anything she said then. This email was sent in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats."

Jeffrey Epstein was subsequently found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019, while awaiting trial for sex-trafficking charges. His death was officially ruled a suicide.