Overview

• The children's hospice charity said it ended Ferguson's patronage because it would be inappropriate for her to continue after the correspondence came to light.
• British tabloids published an April 2011 message in which Ferguson called Epstein a "steadfast, generous and supreme friend" and expressed regret for disowning him.
• Weeks before that email, Ferguson had publicly called a £15,000 loan from Epstein an enormous error of judgment and vowed to never have anything to do with him.
• A representative for Ferguson said the email was sent on advice to assuage Epstein and his threats, adding that she later cut all contact once aware of the gravity of the accusations.
• Ferguson had served as a patron of Julia's House since November 2018 after decades of collaboration, and the disclosure has renewed scrutiny of royal links to Epstein, including the fallout that sidelined Prince Andrew.