King Charles under pressure to ban Yorks after Sarah Ferguson’s emails to Jeffrey Epstein emerged

The messages, written in 2011 after Mr Epstein’s release from jail for child sex offences, showed her apologising for publicly cutting ties with her “supreme friend” to protect her career as a children’s author.

In the email, Fergie said: “Sometimes the heart speaks better than the words. You have my heart. With lots of love, dear Jeffrey.”

She added that she had been “instructed to act with the utmost speed if I would have any chance of holding on to my career as a children’s book author and a children’s philanthropist”.

The Duchess also wrote: “I know you feel hellaciously let down by me from what you were either told or read and I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that,” and assured him: “As you know, I did not, absolutely not, say the ‘P word’ [paedophile] about you but understand it was reported that I did.”

The private message was sent just weeks after Sarah publicly told the Evening Standard: “I will never have anything to do with [Epstein] again,” and branded her acceptance of £15,000 from him to settle debts “a gigantic error of judgment”.

US investigators are also believed to have a “cache” of emails between Andrew and Epstein that could prove “even more explosive” than Sarah's, adding to royal concerns.

The emails between Fergie and Mr Epstein were exchanged after he served 13 months of an 18-month sentence for soliciting prostitution from minors.

A spokesman for the Duchess told GB News: “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.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.”

Friends echoed that defence, saying she had “acted on the advice she was given [in writing the emails] to try and get him to drop the threat, which he subsequently did.”

They continued to tell the Mail: “She deeply regrets any association with him and abhors paedophilia. She has worked for many years to support vulnerable young people.”

The revelations reignite scrutiny of the Yorks’ presence at royal gatherings. Sarah was long considered “persona non grata” during Prince Philip’s lifetime, but both the late Queen and now King Charles have allowed her to join family events such as Christmas at Sandringham and Easter at Windsor Castle.

That tolerance may now end. A source told the Mail there is “real fear” of further damaging disclosures and warned: “It is about the last sanction he may be able to take,” if the King chooses to bar the Yorks from private occasions.

The controversy also intensifies pressure on Prince Andrew, who already stepped back from public duties and lost his royal patronages over his own ties to Epstein.

Despite this, Andrew has continued to attend family events and recently appeared alongside senior royals at the funeral of the Duchess of Kent, although Prince William notably did not say a single word to his uncle.

The King has attempted to distance Andrew by cutting private funding, withdrawing security and urging him to leave Royal Lodge in Windsor, even offering Frogmore Cottage as an alternative.

But Andrew has refused, citing a 75-year lease to remain in the Crown Estate property and insisting he can meet his financial obligations.

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