The Duchess of York has been removed as patron of a children's charity, in the wake of an email emerging in which she called sex offender Jeffrey Epstein her supreme friend. Julia's House, a children's hospice charity serving families in Dorset and Wiltshire, has taken this decision in light of the email sent from her to Epstein, which appeared after she publicly severed ties with him. A charity spokesperson explained, Following the information shared this weekend on the Duchess of York's correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, Julia's House has taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue as a patron of the charity. While acknowledging her past support, they have since removed her name from their listings of patrons.

The controversial email reportedly included an apology for her public distancing from Epstein, and described him as a steadfast, generous and supreme friend. This came in sharp contrast to her earlier denouncement of him in a 2011 interview, during which she claimed her association was a gigantic error of judgement and stated unequivocally that his actions were wrong. A spokesperson for Ferguson clarified that the email was an attempt to counter a defamation threat from Epstein, asserting her regret over any past associations with him.

Ferguson had served as the charity's patron since 2018, participating in various activities until her recent removal from the organization's website, effective immediately after the email's resurfacing.