Fergie expressed regret to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted financier, for publicly disavowing him and referred to him as a close companion, as per her spokesperson. The message, dated April 26, 2011, was sent by the former wife of the Duke of York after stating that she would sever ties with the sex offender. The communication, disclosed by The Sun, showcased the duchess issuing a formal apology to Epstein for associating him with unlawful activities in the media and commending him for his loyalty and generosity.
According to her representative, the email was dispatched following advice given to mollify Epstein and his legal threats. In a subsequent interview with the Evening Standard in March 2011, she expressed remorse for accepting money from Epstein and vowed to distance herself from him permanently.
Reports indicated that shortly after, the duchess sent another email to Epstein, confessing her fear and expressing remorse for causing him disappointment. She acknowledged his support and indicated that she refrained from contacting him based on advice to avoid further complications involving her, the Duke, and him.
The duchess’s spokesperson mentioned that Epstein had threatened legal action against her for defamation due to their former association, emphasizing that her priority has always been the welfare of Epstein’s victims. Epstein, who was awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, was discovered dead in his prison cell in August 2019, with the cause of death ruled as suicide.