Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ex-wife is said to be ‘deeply worried’ about the reaction she would face in the USA – and fears scrutiny from Jeffrey Epstein victims if she had to testify about him, an insider has said
DISGRACED Sarah Ferguson fears scrutiny from Jeffrey Epstein’s victims and being made to testify about him if she returns to America, an insider claims.
The ex-duchess had spent a lot of time in America promoting her business interests but she is now said to be increasingly fearful of returning amid damaging revelations from the Epstein files.
Only two weeks ago, a US lawmaker wrote to the mother-of-two, urging her to testify to Congress about the paedophile. Lawmaker Suhas Subramanyam requested that Ferguson give evidence in a government investigation into Epstein’s sex trafficking operations.
Now an insider has told the Daily Mirror that the former Duchess has made it very clear to those closest to her that she will not go to the USA again.
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It came as her Freedom of the City of York title was revoked in a further humiliation after losing her royal title and being booted out of Royal Lodge last year.
An insider told the Mirror: “Sarah has made it clear to those around her she will never set foot in America again. She is deeply worried about the reaction she would face, whether from Epstein’s victims or scrutiny from Congress.
“She feels it would be unbearable and does not want to be put in a position under oath where she would be asked not only about Epstein but also about Andrew. It has not been a difficult decision despite how deeply entrenched in America she once was.” As a non-US citizen, Ferguson, 66, is not compelled to appear before Congress or respond to the request.
Subramanyam’s letter to her read: “The Committee is seeking information from anyone who has knowledge of Mr Epstein’s criminal operations, and reports and released Department of Justice files reveal your close personal and business ties with him.
“As the Committee seeks justice for the survivors of Mr Epstein’s criminal enterprise, and transparency for the American public, I respectfully request your cooperation with the Committee’s investigation.”
After her divorce from the then-Prince, Ferguson turned to the States as both a commercial base and a platform to rebuild her public image.
She carved out a lucrative career through media and branding, becoming a high-profile ambassador for Weight Watchers and making regular appearances on US television, including The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Her work extended into publishing, with children’s books and lifestyle projects marketed heavily to American audiences, as well as paid speaking engagements and work for children’s and family charities.
For a period, she was based in New York City where she moved in business and social circles tied to media and finance. However, her well-documented financial difficulties were partly bailed out by Epstein. She also carried out charity work in the States.
But any plans to return have been quashed after she appeared in the recently released files, which painted a troubling picture of apparent warmth and familiarity with Epstein, even after his conviction for soliciting sex from underage girls.
In one 2009 exchange, after a failed business venture, Ferguson sent a plea for money, writing: “I urgently need £20,000 for rent today. The landlord has threatened to go to the newspapers if I don’t pay. Any brainwaves?”
Other emails reference her daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie. On July 1, 2010, Epstein asked whether there was a chance of them “saying h=llo” (sic) on a visit to London. Ferguson responded, explaining Beatrice was in London with her father and “Eugie is away with cool boyfri=d.” (sic).
In another email dated August 3, 2009, Ferguson told Epstein “Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for.” She later messaged him: “I am at your service. Just marry me.”
The paedophile committed suicide in August 2019 as he awaited trial for child sex trafficking offences. The Mirror has contacted Sarah Ferguson for comment.
