Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, asked Jeffrey Epstein to employ her as his house assistant. Photo / The US Justice Department, Handout, Anadolu via Getty Images
Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, asked Jeffrey Epstein to employ her as his house assistant. Photo / The US Justice Department, Handout, Anadolu via Getty Images
Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, asked convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to hire her as a “house assistant”, the latest batch of the pair’s released emails show.
The ex-wife of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is again under scrutiny as the Department of Justice released more of the files collated in theirinvestigation of the suspected sex trafficker.
“But why I don’t understand, don’t you just get me to be your House Assistant. I am the most capable and desperately need the money. Please Jeffrey think about it,” Ferguson pleaded with Epstein in May 2010.
Ferguson struggled financially in the years after her split from Mountbatten-Windsor, racking up debts of £6 million ($13.5m) to around 200 creditors by that year.
She is said to have received a £15,000 ($33,880) annual income and a one-off cash sum from the Crown in her 1996 divorce settlement, according to Sky News.
Sarah Ferguson has been embroiled in scandal thanks to her and former husband Prince Andrew's association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Photo / Max Mumby, Indigo, Getty Images
The modest payout, meagre comparative to Princess Diana’s multimillion-pound agreement, saw Ferguson accept an estimated £15,000-£20,000 ($33,880-$45,170) from the disgraced financier to help pay off her huge debts.
Her friendship with Epstein is well documented in the files, with her referring to him as “the brother I have always wished for”, according to People magazine.
In another 2010 email, the 66-year-old called Epstein “a legend” – two years after he was convicted for soliciting an underage girl.
“I really don’t have the words to describe my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness,” she told him. “xX I am at your service. Just marry me.”
Sarah Ferguson's former husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has featured prominently in photos released from the Epstein files. Photos / US Department of Justice
The pair’s relationship seemed to have soured by 2011, as a redacted email address signing off as “Sarah” congratulated Epstein on the birth of a baby boy before sending a terse follow-up.
“I did not even know you were having a baby. It was sooooo crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew. And that really hurt me deeply. More than you will know.”
The association with Epstein has cast a long shadow for the former Duke and Duchess of York, with the pair being ordered to vacate Royal Lodge, their home of nearly 20 years, by King Charles III.
The former prince flanked by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in the Royal Box at Ascot in 2000. Photo / US Department of Justice
Royal author Andrew Lownie told the Daily Mail he suspects a desperate Ferguson may now look at a move to the Middle East, where she has many close contacts to lean on.
“Let’s not forget Sarah has no money and has quite an extravagant lifestyle, she will want to carry that on,” he said.
“I’m sure Sarah could make a life for herself out there, staying out of the public eye and sponging off Middle East connections.”
