Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, has been spotted in public for the first time in months, days after her ex-husband Prince Andrew’s unexpected arrest. The 66-year-old royal has kept a low profile since new Department of Justice documents revealed correspondence between her and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Although her inclusion in the Epstein files does not imply any legal wrongdoing, the revelations have caused renewed embarrassment for the Royal Family. This situation has been exacerbated by Prince Andrew’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Recent reports indicate that Ms. Ferguson is currently outside the UK, maintaining distance from the intense media storm engulfing Prince Andrew, with whom she had lived until recently. She has not appeared publicly since attending the christening of her granddaughter, Athena Mapelli Mozzi, daughter of Princess Beatrice. Sources say she has been staying in Zurich amidst the turmoil.
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The released documents show multiple emails between Ferguson and Epstein during his prison term for soliciting an underage girl. One email from June 14, 2009, shortly before Epstein’s release, contains Ferguson asking for assistance with launching her business initiative, The Mothers Army. Another email dated June 26 includes a sign-off reading “love you,” indicating a friendly tone in their communication.
Following the disclosures, Ferguson’s charitable foundation, Sarah’s Trust—focused on alleviating humanitarian and environmental crises—has been closed indefinitely. A spokesperson confirmed that the decision came after several months of deliberation among Ferguson and her board of trustees, reflecting the challenges posed by the controversy.
As the Royal Family faces increasing scrutiny, Sarah Ferguson’s temporary withdrawal abroad marks an effort to distance herself from the ongoing scandal involving Prince Andrew.