Charities cut ties with Duchess of York amid resurfaced emails
The family of Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew of sexual assault, is speaking out after his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson came under fire for her connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
Several UK charities, including Julia’s House, the British Heart Foundation, and the Teenage Cancer Trust, have cut ties with the Duchess of York following resurfaced 2011 emails in which she referred to Epstein as a “supreme friend.” The correspondence also revealed she had apologised to him after briefly distancing herself in public.
Virginia’s brothers, Sky Roberts and Daniel Wilson, praised the charities’ move in a statement to The Times on September 24. “It is commendable that these seven charities have cut ties with Sarah Ferguson in light of her connections to Epstein,” they said. “This sends a strong message about accountability and the need to confront those who support the horrific child trafficking network established by Epstein and Maxwell.”
Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked to Andrew by Epstein when she was 17, reached a private settlement with the Duke of York in 2022. Andrew has consistently denied the allegations but stepped down from royal duties in 2019.
Virginia died by suicide earlier this year at the age of 41. Her accusations continue to cast a long shadow over Andrew, who divorced Sarah in 1996 but has remained close to her ever since.
