Sarah Ferguson labelled a Royal Family 'disaster' after emails appear to show her 'grovelling' to Epstein

Lewis Henderson

By Lewis Henderson


Published: 16/02/2026

- 08:45

The timing of the emails released by the DoJ appears to suggest that Andrew flew to Manhattan specifically to request that Jeffrey Epstein settle an outstanding debt owed by Ms Ferguson

Sarah Ferguson has been branded "a family disaster" following documents in the Epstein files which appear to show the former Duchess of York "desperately" needing money.

Ms Ferguson has been in the headlines after the US Department of Justice (DoJ) released the files, with her allegedly being named and pictured multiple times.


Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams shared his thoughts on the former duchess, describing the way Ms Ferguson appeared to "grovel for money" in the alleged emails as "obscene".

He told GB News: "She's a disgraced member of the Royal Family. She's just a family disaster."

Sarah FergusonSarah Ferguson has been branded 'a family disaster' | GETTY

Ms Ferguson's living arrangements remain unresolved, with her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, reportedly offering only temporary accommodation.

Mr Fitzwilliams told the People's Channel: "The Middle East is always a possibility, but the reports indicated that Windsor was a distinct possibility.

"Whether or not she does buy a property in Britain, I don't know, but I would have thought that it would be likely she would have a UK base."

GB News has contacted Ms Ferguson for comment.

Sarah Ferguson

Ms Ferguson's living arrangements remain unresolved

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REUTERS

Ms Ferguson appeared to exchange numerous emails with Epstein, as did her ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who allegedly travelled to meet the paedophile.

The timing of the email released by the DoJ appears to suggest that Andrew, then still the Duke of York, flew to Manhattan specifically to request that Epstein settle an outstanding debt owed by his former wife.

At the time, Ms Ferguson was facing bankruptcy in the United States, and the publication of these documents demonstrates just how desperate the family's financial situation had become.

The meeting between the two men would prove catastrophic for the then-prince's reputation, eventually resulting in him being stripped of his royal titles, abandoned by charitable organisations, and forced to leave his residence.

Sarah Ferguson

Ms Ferguson has been described as 'a disgraced member of the Royal Family'

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GETTY

The debt at the centre of this financial crisis was owed to Johnny O'Sullivan, who had served as Ms Ferguson's personal assistant for nearly two decades.

Mr O'Sullivan was due $126,721 (£93,036), a sum comprising unpaid wages and tuition fees for an MBA programme at Columbia University that Ms Ferguson had committed to funding.

Following Ms Ferguson's bankruptcy in the United States in 2010, her former employee found himself among the creditors seeking payment.

The scale of what was owed to Mr O'Sullivan, combined with his lengthy service to the then-Duchess of York, made him a particularly problematic creditor for the royal household.

Sarah Ferguson

Ms Ferguson has previously said it was a 'gigantic error in judgment' in being associated with Epstein

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GETTY

His intimate knowledge of Ms Ferguson's affairs over 18 years of employment meant any dispute risked becoming public in a damaging way.

It appears this outstanding obligation prompted the then-Duke of York to seek assistance from Epstein in settling his ex-wife's affairs.

Ms Ferguson's financial difficulties extended far beyond the debt to her former assistant.

By late 2010, she owed as much as £5million to various creditors, including substantial legal fees in the United States.

Her spending habits had attracted criticism over the years, while a succession of business ventures had failed to generate sustainable income.

Ms Ferguson has previously expressed regret about her connection to Epstein, stating: "I would never have anything to do with Jeffrey Epstein again. I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children. It was a gigantic error in judgment."

Being named or pictured in the Epstein files does not show any sign of wrongdoing or misconduct.