The message was sent weeks after she told reporters she would never have anything to do Epstein again, ITV News’ Vincent McAviney reports
Sarah, Duchess of York, apologised to convicted paedophile and financier Jeffrey Epstein and described him as a “supreme friend” after he threatened to sue her, her spokesman has confirmed.
According to reports, the email from the duchess – dated April 26, 2011 – was sent just weeks after she publicly disavowed Epstein, telling the Evening Standard she would “never have anything to do with” him again.
The message, reported by The Sun, revealed that the Duchess “humbly apologised” for associating Epstein with paedophilia in the media, calling him “steadfast” and “generous”.
Her spokesman stated the apology was issued “in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats”.
On March 7, 2011, in an interview with the Evening Standard, the duchess expressed regret over accepting £15,000 from Epstein.
“I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf,” she told the newspaper. “I am just so contrite I cannot say. Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.”
However, little over a month later, she reportedly sent an email to Epstein from her private account, apologising and stating she was “bedridden with fear”.
“I know you feel hellaciously let down by me,” the duchess wrote. “And I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that. You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family.”
She continued: “I am apologising to you today for not replying to your email or reaching out to you. I was bedridden with fear. I was paralysed.
“I was advised in no uncertain terms, to have nothing to do with you and to not speak or email you. And if I did – I would cause more problems to you, the Duke and myself. I was broken and lost.
“So please understand. I didn’t want to hurt Andrew one more time. I was in over-riding fear. I am sorry.”
The duchess’s spokesman reiterated that Epstein had threatened legal action after she publicly linked him to paedophilia.
“The duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been, her first thoughts are with his victims,” the spokesman said. “Like many people, she was taken in by his lies.”
“As soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations against him, she not only cut off contact but condemned him publicly, to the extent that he then threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia.”
“She does not resile from anything she said then. This email was sent in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats.”
Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
His death was ruled a suicide.
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