Prince William is pressing King Charles to take decisive action against Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson following renewed controversy over their past ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The Prince of Wales is said to be urging his father to bar the Duke and Duchess of York from royal events and to finally remove them from the 30-room Royal Lodge estate in Windsor, escalating a long-brewing family dispute.
Pressure intensified after The Sun published details of a 2011 email Ferguson sent to Epstein apologizing for distancing herself after his release from prison. In the message, Ferguson wrote, "You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family," adding that she had been "advised in no uncertain terms, to have nothing to do with you and to not speak or email you."
The leak triggered a swift reaction from charities long associated with Ferguson. Prevent Breast Cancer, Teenage Cancer Trust, Julia's House children's hospice, and several other organizations severed ties within days. A palace insider told the Daily Mail, "William feels even more strongly than the King that Andrew and Fergie are an embarrassment and will be urging his father to act. The optics of that pair of chancers guffawing away [at events] look terrible."
William's frustration reportedly boiled over during the Duchess of Kent's funeral in September, where he was photographed standing near Andrew with what sources described as a visible look of discomfort. "His face as he stood next to Andrew... said it all," one source told the paper.
King Charles, however, is said to be more cautious. "The King doesn't want to cut ties with his brother, former sister-in-law and that side of the family," one royal source said. The late Queen Elizabeth maintained a similar stance, allowing Ferguson limited appearances at royal estates despite Prince Philip's disapproval.
The scandal comes as Ferguson's finances are under renewed scrutiny. Sources close to the family say the charity withdrawals and cancelled engagements threaten her ability to maintain Royal Lodge, where she and Andrew live at opposite ends of the sprawling house. "This latest scandal threatens her ability to earn money as well as her charity patronages," said a source, noting that the Yorks' financial situation could soon force their hand.
Ferguson's spokesperson told People she "spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago" and emphasized her support for his victims. The statement added that she "cut off contact" with Epstein once she learned of the extent of the allegations and that the 2011 email was sent under advice "to try to assuage Epstein and his threats."
