An announcement has been made over Sarah Ferguson’s charity, Sarah’s Trust, following the release of new Epstein files.
The charity will close “for the foreseeable future,” the announcement confirmed.
It comes days after explosive revelations emerged from over three million documents related to Epstein. These files were released by the US Department of Justice last week.
They have seemingly placed the former Duchess of York in proximity to the late disgraced financier.
Sarah Ferguson’s charity issues statement after Epstein files release
A spokesperson for the charity issued a statement on Monday evening.
“Our chair, Sarah Ferguson, and the board of trustees have agreed that with regret the charity will shortly close for the foreseeable future,” they said, as reported by the BBC. “This has been under discussion and in train for some months.”
They added: “We remain extremely proud of the work of the trust over recent years. We have partnered with over 60 other charities in over 20 countries, providing education, healthcare, crisis response and environmental projects.”
Founded in 2020, Sarah’s Trust is “dedicated to supporting frontline, grassroots work to address the humanitarian and environmental crisis, the hunger crisis and issues perpetuating cycles of extreme poverty across our world that demand our attention and action,” as stated by its website.
In a message on the charity’s website, Ferguson says: “Since becoming a grandmother, I’ve become acutely aware of my responsibility, and that of my generation, to do everything I can to improve the state of the world that we are leaving for our grandchildren.”
Sarah Ferguson’s charity work
During the pandemic, Sarah’s Trust delivered more than 150,000 aid parcels and provided medical aid and education in Ukraine and Ghana.
However, the closure follows a sharp decline in public support for Ferguson. The former duchess has been dropped by at least seven charities in the past few months.
Among the latest documents released by the US Department of Justice are emails that appear to show Ferguson being complimentary of Epstein.
Emails from 2009 and 2010 include Ferguson allegedly praising Epstein as a “legend” and “the brother I have always wished for”.
As reported by the BBC, an email from “Sarah” to Epstein allegedly reads: “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.” [Sic].
These emails came after Epstein was convicted of soliciting sex from a minor in 2008.
Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal
Meanwhile, Sarah Ferguson’s ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has also faced damaging allegations relating to Epstein.
In 2022, he reached a financial out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre. She had sued him in a US civil case, accusing him of sexual assault.
Ms Giuffre alleged she was made to sleep with Andrew on three occasions when she was 17, after being trafficked by Epstein.
Andrew has always vehemently denied the allegations against him. The royal repeated that the out-of-court settlement did not mean any liability or admission of guilt.
The resurgence of these allegations last year led to King Charles stripping his younger brother of all his royal titles and honours.
Among the newly released Epstein files, images surfaced that appear to show Andrew on all fours over an unidentified woman lying on the ground. No context has been supplied for the images. It’s also unclear when and where they were taken.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. Being named or pictured among the Epstein files is not an indication of wrongdoing.
Following the release of the latest batch of files, a second woman has come forward with allegations against Andrew.
Speaking to the BBC, the woman’s lawyer, Brad Edwards, said that after she spent the night with the former prince, the woman claims she was given a tour of Buckingham Palace and had tea.
Representatives for both Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have been contacted for comment on the files.
Read more: ‘Crisis’ Sarah Ferguson is facing ahead of Royal Lodge exit ‘revealed’
What do you think of the latest allegations? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.