Sarah Ferguson is reportedly couch-surfing in New York as scrutiny over her past ties to Jeffrey Epstein intensifies. Photo / Getty Images
Sarah Ferguson is reportedly couch-surfing in New York as scrutiny over her past ties to Jeffrey Epstein intensifies. Photo / Getty Images
Sarah Ferguson is “effectively homeless” and couch-surfing with friends in New York City after backlash over her ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
According to Page Six, the former Duchess of York is struggling to find accommodation in the US city after King Charles kicked her and ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor out ofRoyal Lodge.
While she once had plenty of generous, high-earning friends who would happily host her, Ferguson is now considered “too radioactive” among those circles following the Epstein file drop, according to the publication.
However, there are some old connections, including Priscilla Presley, still willing to offer her a bed, it has been reported.
“Everyone’s telling her that now’s not a good time,” an insider told Page Six.
“A lot of people actually really like her, but being associated with anyone associated with Epstein just isn’t wise right now.”
Meanwhile, her daughter, Princess Eugenie, also lives in the city – but both she and Ferguson have reportedly agreed that any public shows of unity would be unwise in the current climate.
“Now that Andrew has lost his royal title, the girls [Eugenie and older sister Beatrice] are the only members of the family who are real royals,” the source said.
“It’s more important than ever for them to be kept as far away from the scandal as possible.”
As the royal family navigates the crisis of the Epstein scandal, high-level Palace talks have reportedly taken place regarding the role the princesses should play in the monarchy in the future, given the question marks over their relationship to the late convicted sex offender.
Neither has been accused of any wrongdoing, although their names appear multiple times in the Epstein files.
The Mail also reports that a divide has emerged between Prince William and Princess Catherine and Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, with the Wales’ keeping their royal cousins at “arms’ length” while the scandal unfolds.
Reports suggest Ferguson is relying on a small group of loyal friends while staying in New York. Photo / Getty Images
Amid the scandal, police arrested Mountbatten-Windsor early on his 66th birthday at his Wood Farm home in Norfolk, in England’s east, before conducting raids on two properties linked to him last month. He was released after 11 hours in custody but remains under investigation.
Like her ex-husband, Ferguson’s ties to Epstein have also been under scrutiny in recent months, with the fallout from the association beginning last September when emails between herself and the late billionaire from back in 2011 emerged.
In one, she called him her “steadfast, generous and supreme friend” – and it was sent only weeks after she’d given an interview describing her “terrible, terrible error of judgment” in having a friendship with him.
Ferguson had also claimed she would have “nothing to do” with Epstein ever again.
The revelation last year resulted in Ferguson being dropped by seven charities with which she was associated.
The latest tranche of Epstein documents have been much more embarrassing for Ferguson, with one gushing email from her praising the convicted sex offender as the “brother [I] have always wished for”.
The email was dated just weeks after Epstein’s release from prison after being convicted of prostituting minors as young as 14.
The following year, Ferguson wrote to him: “You are a legend. I really don’t have the words to describe, my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness. Xx I am at your service. Just marry me”.
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