Sarah Ferguson stripped of York title amid Epstein scandal fallout
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, is facing fresh scrutiny over her ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The city of York has now voted to strip her of an honorary title granted nearly 40 years ago. Meanwhile, US lawmakers are pressing her for answers about her relationship with Epstein and her ex-husband's connections to him.
The Duchess of York received the Freedom of the City of York title in 1987 after marrying Prince Andrew. Nearly four decades later, York's city council has unanimously voted to remove it. The decision follows long-standing criticism of her association with Epstein, whom she once described as the 'brother she never had'.
Court documents reveal Ferguson maintained close contact with Epstein even after his 2008 conviction. She accepted large sums of money from him, introduced him to her 22-year-old goddaughter in 2009 with the message 'Now it's your turn! Best wishes,' and celebrated his release from prison days later alongside her daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie. Emails later showed her expressing deep affection, writing, 'I am at your service. Just marry me.' A Democratic congressman has now sent Ferguson a formal letter, urging her to cooperate with the committee investigating Epstein's crimes. She has two weeks to respond, though no legal mechanism exists to force her testimony in the US. The inquiry is examining both her personal and professional ties to Epstein, as well as what she knew about Prince Andrew's relationship with him.
The revocation of Ferguson's honorary title marks a formal break from a privilege she held since her royal marriage. US investigators continue to seek her cooperation, but her response remains voluntary. The case highlights ongoing questions about her financial dealings with Epstein and the extent of her knowledge about his criminal activities.
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