Thousands of copies of Sarah Ferguson's forthcoming children's book have been reportedly destroyed and sent for recycling in the wake of intense public scrutiny over her historical connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Publication Cancelled and Copies Destroyed
The book, titled 'Flora and Fern: Kindness Along the Way', was originally scheduled for publication on 9th October. This date was subsequently pushed back to 20th November before the publisher made the decisive move to remove it from their schedules entirely. According to industry sources, physical copies that had already been printed are now being 'pulped' - sent for recycling in a clear acknowledgment that the title had become commercially unviable.
An anonymous publishing insider confirmed the situation to the Daily Mail, stating: "It's not been delayed, it's being pulped. It's an acknowledgment of the inevitable. No one is going to want to buy it." The title has been completely erased from the publisher's website and is no longer available for pre-order on major retail platforms including Waterstones and Amazon.
Royal Repercussions and Event Cancellations
This literary withdrawal arrives during a profoundly challenging period for the 66-year-old author. Earlier this month, she lost her title of Sarah, Duchess of York after King Charles stripped her former husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, of his remaining royal titles. The couple also face the prospect of losing their long-term home at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where Ferguson has resided for decades despite their separation.
The cancellation has triggered a domino effect, resulting in the abandonment of a complete schedule of planned in-person readings and bookshop appearances that were intended to promote the release. Ferguson, who has authored more than 50 books throughout her career, has remained silent on the publisher's decision to pulp her latest work.
Historical Connections Resurface
The controversy intensified significantly in September when the Mail on Sunday published private emails from 2011. In these communications, Ferguson privately referred to Epstein as her "supreme friend" and apologised for "letting him down". This private correspondence emerged less than two months after she had publicly vowed to never associate with him again, describing the connection as a "gigantic error of judgment".
The emails revealed the complex nature of their relationship, which included a £15,000 payment from Epstein to help settle Ferguson's debts. A spokesperson for Ferguson has since claimed she felt compelled to write the messages because Epstein had threatened her. The renewed scandal has had severe consequences, with numerous charities severing their long-term associations with the former duchess.
New Frontier Publishing, the company behind 'Flora and Fern: Kindness Along the Way', has declined to comment on the situation. The book was intended as a follow-up to last year's 'Flora and Fern: Wonder in the Woods', focusing on two rabbits learning about kindness and community during a city adventure.
