New emails show how the ex-duchess tried to wangle flight upgrades from the shamed financier as soon as he was released from prison for child sex offences in 2009
Sarah Ferguson pleaded with Jeffrey Epstein to foot the bill on first-class travel for herself and two daughters to see the paedophile financier, explosive emails have revealed.
Correspondence shows that his staff were instructed to disregard the ex-Duchess of York’s persistent phone calls and messages demanding that her already plush business class seat be enhanced. The new emails released by the US Justice Department as part of the Epstein files indicate Ferguson had her office approach Epstein, requesting he “graciously” bankroll the journey within hours of his jail release for child sex offences.
The 66-year-old – who was facing financial ruin at the time – even pressed for Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to receive club class upgrades for the visit, which occurred in July 2009. Ferguson and her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have always strongly denied any allegations of wrongdoing.
Epstein was freed under house detention to his seafront estate in Palm Beach on July 22, 2009, having completed 13 months for procuring a minor for prostitution. On the same day, Ferguson’s team appeared to have telephoned his property manager, Lesley Groff, proposing he cover her travel costs.
In one message titled ‘The Duchess of York’, Groff wrote to Epstein: “Amanda from the Duchess’ office just called. She said that you graciously offered to pay for the Duchess to come and visit you. Amanda would like to speak to [redacted] about flights,” reports the Express.
The executive aide is thought to have been referencing Amanda Lewis, who was the former duchess’s assistant at that time. The following morning, Groff provided Epstein with an update, writing: “Amanda said the princesses would like to accompany the Duchess and she is wondering if you might be willing to pay for them as well..”
Following Epstein’s straightforward “ok” response, Groff arranged the journey with Ferguson, requesting a three-day getaway in New York alongside flights bearing “crazy high price tags”. Epstein directed his team to secure Ferguson’s travel in business class whilst Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, then aged 19 and 21 respectively, were to fly economy or premium economy.
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Correspondence also reveals staff rushing to accommodate Ferguson’s demands, including obtaining the priciest flight option through British Airways for which she supplied her BA frequent flyer details. At one stage, Groff questioned Epstein about whether she could enquire “if they are flexible”, observing that her requirements – first-class seats for herself and business class for the princesses – would exceed $30,000 (£22,300).
When Ferguson’s representatives stated no alternative timings were suitable, the assistant confirmed the BA bookings, following Epstein’s initial guidance on business and economy, totalling $14,080.10 (£10,461).
However, mere hours before their scheduled return journey from New York to London on July 30, 2009, Groff notified Epstein that the then-duchess was insisting on an upgrade from business class, writing: “The Duchess has asked that she be in First and the girls in Club on the flight back from NYC to LHR apparently Jeffrey said that this would be ok please can you let me know if you can change this”.
Within moments Epstein responded: “i said nothing,, do not respond”. The documents show that Ferguson and the princesses had been staying with American entrepreneur Philip Levine at his Miami residence before using his vehicle and chauffeur to call on Epstein on July 27.
Correspondence from Ferguson confirms her daughters would be accompanying her and enquired whether Epstein was providing lunch, to which he responded that vegetable lasagna would be served “or anything else you would like,” prepared by a chef brought in from Paris.
The subsequent week, Ms Ferguson dispatched Epstein an effusive email regarding business opportunities that had materialised following their encounter: “After your lunch it seems the energy has lifted,” she wrote.
“I have never been more touched by a friend’s kindness than your compliment to me in front of my girls. Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for.”
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