Sarah Ferguson's Future Under Scrutiny Following Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's Arrest
The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has shifted attention to his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, raising pressing questions about her next steps amid ongoing controversies. Ferguson, famously dubbed "Fergie" by tabloids, married the then Prince Andrew in 1986 and divorced a decade later after allegations of an affair with an American financial adviser. This event marked the beginning of a series of scandals that positioned her as a perceived embarrassment to the royal family throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Standing by Andrew Through Allegations
Ferguson has consistently supported Mountbatten-Windsor through multiple allegations linked to Jeffrey Epstein, though she has remained silent on his recent arrest. She has previously praised him as "amazing" and described their relationship as "the happiest divorced couple in the world," while dismissing claims against him and labeling his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, as a liar. However, her own connections to Epstein are now casting a shadow over her public image, threatening to render her persona non grata as more details emerge.
Financial Woes and Epstein Ties
News of Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest coincided with revelations that six of Ferguson's businesses are set to be struck off the Companies House register after becoming dormant. These include ventures in public relations and retail, though their exact functions remain unclear. Ferguson's financial struggles have been well-documented, with emails showing she maintained close contact with Epstein even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Key financial revelations include:
- Epstein wired Ferguson $150,000 (£104,000) in 2001, which she claimed was for share options from her role as a Weight Watchers ambassador.
- Epstein paid $14,080 to fly Ferguson and her daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, to the US for lunch in 2009.
- Ferguson's emails expressed gratitude, with one stating, "Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for," and another joking, "Just marry me."
Scandals and Public Apologies
Ferguson has been involved in numerous scandals seemingly aimed at monetizing her royal connections. These include two tell-all memoirs in 1996 and 2011, and a 2010 incident where she was caught in a News of the World sting offering access to her ex-husband for £500,000. She later apologized, citing financial stress. In 2019, she publicly apologized for her association with Epstein, calling it a "gigantic error of judgment," but privately emailed him to "humbly apologize" for the denunciation, describing him as a "supreme friend."
Charity Fallout and Current Status
Following the release of Epstein files in September last year, several charities severed ties with Ferguson, including the Teenage Cancer Trust and Julia's House. The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation also dropped her as a patron, expressing disturbance over her comments. While no criminal activity by Ferguson has been uncovered in the files, the scandal may prove damaging to her reputation. She has reportedly stopped using the duchess title since her ex-husband was stripped of his, but this latest episode could be one scandal too many for her public standing.
