Sarah Ferguson, widely known as the Duchess of York, entered the British royal family in 1986 when she married Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. Their marriage was a celebrated event, bringing together Ferguson’s lively personality and Andrew’s royal stature. The couple had two daughters, Princess Beatrice in 1988 and Princess Eugenie in 1990, and for a time they were seen as a modern, approachable branch of the monarchy. However, by 1992 the marriage had begun to falter, and they announced their separation. Four years later, in 1996, the divorce was finalized. Despite the end of their marriage, Ferguson and Andrew maintained an unusually close relationship, continuing to live together at times and presenting a united front in raising their daughters. This enduring bond would later intertwine with controversies surrounding Andrew’s social circle, most notably his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
From 2000 onward, Ferguson sought to establish herself as a philanthropist and author, working on children’s books and supporting charitable causes. Yet her financial struggles were well known, and she often relied on wealthy acquaintances to help stabilize her situation. During this period, both she and Andrew were connected to Epstein, a financier whose social network included politicians, celebrities, and royals. Ferguson is documented to have vacationed with Epstein in the Bahamas and to have flown on his private jet in the early 2000s. In 2006, she accepted money from Epstein to help pay off personal debts. These financial dealings underscored her vulnerability and reliance on Epstein’s wealth, even as his reputation began to darken.
The family’s dealings with Epstein became more complicated as Andrew’s friendship with him drew increasing scrutiny. Andrew maintained ties with Epstein even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex offenses, a decision that would later damage his standing within the royal family. In 2011, private correspondence emails between Ferguson and Epstein revealed that Ferguson referred to Epstein as a “supreme friend” and thanked him for his generosity to her and her family. Throughout the years 2012 to 2016, Ferguson remained focused on her daughters, who were pursuing higher education and beginning professional careers. Princess Beatrice studied at Goldsmiths, University of London, while Princess Eugenie attended Newcastle University before embarking on a career in the art world.
Ferguson’s role as a mother was central to her public image, and she often appeared alongside Andrew and their daughters at family events. The shadow of Epstein lingered, particularly as Andrew’s association with him became a matter of public scandal. Ferguson’s own ties, though less prominent, were part of the broader narrative of how Epstein’s influence reached into the highest levels of society. By 2016, Ferguson’s relationship with Epstein had largely receded from public discussion, though it resurfaced whenever Andrew’s friendship was examined. Her charitable work and publishing projects continued, and she sought to reinforce her identity as a philanthropist and author rather than as a figure entangled in scandal. Still, the record of her financial dealings, vacations, and correspondence with Epstein between 2000 and 2011 remained part of her legacy.