Julia’s House, a hospice for children, stated that the alleged email exchange made it unsuitable for Ferguson, also referred to as the Duchess of York, to continue as a patron.

A representative for Ferguson noted that she wrote the email following her lawyers’ advice after Epstein threatened to take legal action against her for connecting him with sexual abuse during a media interview, according to Britain’s Press Association.

However, the following month, Ferguson sent Epstein an email where she “humbly apologised” for associating him with sex abuse, expressing “you have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family,” The Sun newspaper reported over the weekend.

The Associated Press couldn’t independently confirm that the email is authentic.

This revelation emerges shortly after Andrew himself faced criticism for maintaining contact with Epstein for five years longer than was previously acknowledged.

Emails leaked between Epstein and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak revealed that the prince had communicated with Epstein as recently as 2015, the Times of London reported.

Andrew told the BBC in 2019 that he ceased all contact with Epstein in December 2010, after the late financier pled guilty to sex crimes in Florida.

Andrew and his ex-wife have faced a series of scandals amid concerns that the prince has tried to profit from his royal status.

He was compelled to relinquish all royal responsibilities and charitable positions following a 2019 BBC interview, where he was criticised for downplaying his ties with Epstein and not demonstrating empathy for Epstein’s victims.

Last year, it emerged that a suspected Chinese spy had developed close links with Andrew, raising concerns about efforts to put undue influence on other members of the royal family.