Email calling Epstein 'supreme friend' adds new fuel to royal scandal

Source: NBC News

Sept. 21, 2025, 10:25 AM EDT


LONDON — After showcasing its finest pomp and pageantry during President Donald Trump’s state visit last week, Britain’s royal family has quickly been plunged back into all-too familiar controversy. Just days after Trump, the royals and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer largely skirted questions about Jeffrey Epstein that had threatened to complicate the sunny spectacle of his trip, the British press offered new revelations.

A newly surfaced email revealed that Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, described the disgraced financier as a “supreme friend” despite his conviction for sex offences.

The email was published in two newspapers Sunday. It was sent by the Duchess — the former wife of Prince Andrew, the Duke of York —in 2011, just weeks after she had publicly distanced herself from Epstein. A spokesperson for the Duchess said the email was sent to counter a threat Epstein had made to sue her for defamation.

But the story will add new fuel to damaging media coverage about royal links to Epstein, which have centered on Andrew's own close relationship and a lawsuit accusing him of sexual abuse — he denied the allegations by Virginia Giuffre and settled out of court. She died by suicide earlier this year.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/world/united-kingdom/email-calling-epstein-supreme-friend-adds-new-fuel-royal-scandal-rcna232705