Fergie expressed regret and offered an apology to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, for disavowing him and referred to him as a close acquaintance after he threatened legal action against her, as per her spokesperson. The email from the former wife of the Duke of York to Epstein, dated April 26, 2011, followed her public statement weeks earlier, where she vowed to sever ties with the disgraced financier.

Reported by The Sun newspaper, the email portrayed the duchess expressing a humble apology to Epstein for connecting him to child abuse in the media, describing him as loyal and generous. Her representative clarified that the email was sent under the guidance she received to attempt to pacify Epstein and his legal threats.

In a separate interview with the Evening Standard in March 2011, she admitted to accepting money from Epstein and acknowledged her mistake, emphasizing her stance against pedophilia and child abuse. She also mentioned her intention to repay the sum and reiterated her decision to distance herself from Epstein moving forward.

Subsequent reports revealed that shortly after the public statements, the duchess sent a private email to Epstein, confessing her fear and expressing remorse for her actions. The email emphasized her distress and the advice she received to cease communication with Epstein to avoid further complications.

Her spokesperson highlighted that Epstein had threatened legal action against her for associating him with child abuse. The representative emphasized the duchess’s regret over her past association with Epstein and her support for his victims, affirming her condemnation of his actions once she became fully aware of the allegations against him.

Epstein’s death was confirmed as a suicide in August 2019 while he was in custody awaiting trial for sex-trafficking charges.