CNN: Sarah Ferguson Privately Praised Epstein as 'Spectacular Friend' After Conviction

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, publicly criticized Jeffrey Epstein while privately praising him as a “spectacular and special friend” after his 2008 sex offense conviction, according to dozens of files examined by CNN.¹

The documents, released as part of ongoing disclosures under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, reveal a stark gap between Ferguson’s public statements distancing herself from the convicted sex offender and her private communications expressing admiration and seeking financial support.

In one message sent while Epstein was incarcerated, Ferguson wrote that she was “so proud of you,” CNN reported after reviewing the correspondence.¹ The statement was directed at Epstein during his 13-month jail sentence following his guilty plea to soliciting a minor in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Financial Requests

The files show Ferguson sought financial help from Epstein and asked to be employed as his “house assistant,” according to CNN’s review of the documents.¹ The request came at a time when Ferguson was publicly known to be facing significant financial difficulties.

The nature of the proposed employment arrangement and whether any payment was made were not immediately clear from the released files. Ferguson has previously acknowledged receiving financial assistance from Epstein but has characterized it as a one-time payment facilitated through Prince Andrew, her former husband.¹

The newly released communications suggest a more sustained effort by Ferguson to maintain a financial relationship with Epstein than her previous public statements had indicated. The documents include multiple exchanges over a period extending well beyond Epstein’s conviction.

Public vs. Private Statements

Ferguson had previously told interviewers that she deeply regretted any association with Epstein. In a 2011 interview, she described the connection as the “biggest mistake of my life” and said she had been introduced to Epstein through Prince Andrew.

The private communications reviewed by CNN present a markedly different tone. The language Ferguson used — describing Epstein as “spectacular” and expressing pride in him while he served time for a sex offense — contradicts the narrative of regret she presented publicly.¹

CNN reported that the files contain dozens of communications between Ferguson and Epstein or his associates, spanning a period that included both pre- and post-conviction contact.¹

Royal Family Implications

The revelations add to the scrutiny facing the British royal family over its connections to Epstein. Prince Andrew settled a civil sexual abuse lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre in 2022 for an undisclosed sum. He has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

Ferguson and Prince Andrew, though divorced since 1996, have continued to live together and maintain a close relationship. The newly released files raise questions about the extent to which the royal household was aware of ongoing contact between family members and Epstein’s network after the 2008 conviction.

Earlier this month, Princess Eugenie, the daughter of Ferguson and Prince Andrew, lost an anti-slavery charity patronage following disclosures in the Epstein files. The charity cited the need to maintain public confidence in its mission.

The files released to date have not indicated that Ferguson was aware of or participated in any criminal activity. However, the warm tone of her post-conviction communications with Epstein has drawn sharp criticism from victim advocacy groups, who have said such associations helped normalize Epstein’s behavior and shielded him from social consequences.¹

Ferguson’s representatives did not respond to CNN’s request for comment on the newly released documents.¹

References

1. CNN — “Sarah Ferguson Privately Praised Epstein as ‘Spectacular Friend’ After Conviction”