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    Sarah Ferguson Thanked "Brother" Jeffrey Epstein for "Complimenting" Her "In Front Of" Her Daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

    "I have never been more touched by a friend's kindness," the former Duchess of York wrote.

    Amy Mackelden's avatar
    By Amy Mackelden
    Published 31 January 2026 In News

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    Sarah Ferguson wears a green dress and disgraced American financier Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago estate, Palm Beach, Florida on February 22, 1997
    (Image credit: Davidoff Studios/Getty Images/Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
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    A new batch of the Epstein files have been released, with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson featuring prominently in the documents. Notably, Ferguson reportedly described Jeffrey Epstein—who was a registered sex offender at the time—as "the brother I have always wished for."

    As reported by the Daily Mail, emails between Epstein and Ferguson reveal just how intimate their friendship was, even following the disgraced financier's conviction. On August 3, 2009, the former Duchess of York allegedly wrote to Epstein, "In just [a] week, after your lunch, it seems the energy has lifted."

    She reportedly continued, "I have never been more touched by a friend's kindness than your compliment to me in front of my girls [Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie]." Ferguson further wrote, "Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for."

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    According to the outlet, Ferguson told Epstein in another email, "I am so proud of you," and called him "a legend."

    Sarah Ferguson wears a green dress and disgraced American financier Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago estate, Palm Beach, Florida on February 22, 1997

    Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago estate, Palm Beach, Florida on February 22, 1997.

    (Image credit: Davidoff Studios/Getty Images/Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

    Per the Daily Mail, additional documents reveal that Ferguson sent Epstein an invitation to the former Prince Andrew's 50th birthday party. "Beatrice, Eugenie, and I would love to invite you to celebrate the 50 years of Papa/Andrew," the message explained. "It will be on February 26th 2010...at St. James's Palace, London...It will be suits and cocktail dresses, and you know me, mysterious mischief, so bring your presents, your presence, and your humor!"

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    Ferguson sent Epstein an invitation to the former Prince Andrew's 50th birthday party in 2010.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Royal expert Ingrid Seward previously told the Sun, "I'm afraid every time Epstein's name is mentioned, Andrew is going to be mentioned alongside him, and that looks like a forever situation." Seward continued, "His association with Epstein has actually completely destroyed his life. And probably destroyed the life of his family."

    As evidenced by the latest release from the Epstein files, the connections between Ferguson, her ex-husband, and the convicted sex offender will seemingly continue.

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    Weekend Editor

    Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York attend the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025 in London, England. Katharine, Duchess of Kent was married Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, the first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. She died on September 4 at the age of 92 at Kensington Palace surrounded by her family. Having converted to Catholicism in 1994, her funeral takes place at Westminster Cathedral and is the first Catholic funeral to be held for a member of the royal family in modern British history. Her Royal Highness will be laid to rest at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, Windsor. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
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