Is Sarah Ferguson To Blame? Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie 'Being Punished' Over Parents' Epstein Ties

A Christmas card arrives in the mail — cheerful snapshots of young women in holiday hats, a father's proud grin, warm wishes scrawled underneath. Harmless enough, until you learn it went to Jeffrey Epstein in 2011, from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, two years after the financier's conviction for procuring a teenage girl for prostitution. Those smiling faces? Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, now collateral in a scandal that refuses to die.​

Thursday brought the latest blow: Thames Valley Police arrested their father on suspicion of misconduct in public office, hauling him from Sandringham for questioning before releasing him under investigation. Searches hit Royal Lodge in Berkshire and other sites. The trigger? Fresh US Justice Department files alleging Andrew passed confidential trade briefings — including one on Afghanistan investments — to Epstein while UK envoy, despite claiming a clean break in 2010. Ferguson, his ex, called Epstein her 'steadfast, generous and supreme friend', jetted to greet him post‑prison and even joked about marrying him, while gossiping about Eugenie's exploits.

It's a grotesque inheritance for the daughters, who didn't court the financier's orbit but now pay the price.

Epstein Files Detail Continued Contacts

Newly released US Department of Justice documents from the Epstein files reveal Andrew emailed Epstein a confidential UK government briefing on 'high-value commercial opportunities' in Afghanistan's Helmand province in December 2010 — weeks after his New York trip to supposedly end their friendship. The memo, prepared by the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team for Andrew as trade envoy, highlighted gold and uranium investments, prompting him to ask Epstein for 'comments, views or ideas' and to loop in others from his network, including Abu Dhabi contacts. This contradicts Andrew's 2019 BBC Newsnight claim of no contact after 2010.

Epstein, convicted in 2008 of procuring a minor for prostitution and released in 2009, also received handwritten Christmas cards from Andrew in 2011 and 2012. The 21 December 21 card — signed 'HRH The Duke of York' — wished 'much joy and happiness at this time and for the year ahead', with photos of Beatrice in a silver cracker hat and earmuffs, Eugenie in fur hat and scarf, snow-blanketed Royal Lodge, Andrew canoeing, and a dog cartoon. The 20 December 2012 follow-up showed Beatrice posing hip‑cocked on Mont Blanc (February 2012), Eugenie in high‑vis gear on London's Night Rider charity bike ride (June 2012), Andrew abseiling the Shard, and Ferguson crossing Canada's frozen Great Slave Lake.

Ferguson visited Epstein in Miami days after his 2009 release, emailing August 3 that year about brand deals (Target, NBC, Tommy Hilfiger via QVC for her charity), praising him as 'the brother I have always wished for'. A 30 January 2010 note gushed: 'You are a legend... I am at your service. Just marry me.' She later apologised for publicly disowning him in 2011, calling him her 'steadfast, generous and supreme friend' and denying using the 'P-word' (paedophile). Another email quipped about Eugenie's pre‑20th birthday 'shagging weekend' with then‑boyfriend Jack Brooksbank.

Andrew has previously denied wrongdoing related to Epstein. Ferguson's team has not addressed these specific documents.

Impact on Ferguson Businesses and Daughters

Six companies directed by Sarah Ferguson have filed to dissolve with Companies House since mid-February, including PR firm Sarah's Trust and others in retail and events. A Ferguson spokesperson previously stated she cut ties with Epstein upon learning the full allegations.

Reports indicate that Beatrice and Eugenie have received fewer invitations to high-profile events due to their parents' associations. A source cited by the Daily Express said Ferguson is concerned her daughters have been dropped from guest lists they would typically attend.

Eugenie, 35, director at art gallery Hauser & Wirth, appeared at Art Basel in Doha last weekend. Beatrice, 37, attended the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year. Both are mothers of two and have not publicly addressed the reports.

Social Fallout at Exclusive Venues

Andrew and Ferguson are no longer welcome at London's Annabel's nightclub in Mayfair and its sister venues, owned by the Birley Group. The club, frequented by figures including Princess Diana, previously hosted Andrew's 1990 birthday party. Sources say their 'notoriety' does not suit the venue's image.​

The ban extends to four related sites. Eugenie celebrated her birthday there in 2023 with her mother and sister, but the couple would now be turned away.​

US politicians have called for Andrew to testify before Congress on Epstein's knowledge. Thames Valley Police continue their probe; misconduct in public office carries a maximum life sentence. No charges have been filed