Ask Onix
New emails deepen controversy around royal family ties to Epstein
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, are at the center of renewed scrutiny following the release of emails suggesting closer-than-reported connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The documents indicate the sisters interacted with Epstein shortly after his 2008 conviction for sex offenses involving minors and may have facilitated meetings with his associates.
Key revelations from the emails
The newly disclosed correspondence reveals several troubling details:
- Beatrice and Eugenie, then 21 and 19, had lunch with Epstein in Miami days after his prison release.
- Epstein appears to have paid $14,080.10 for the family's flights, according to an exchange with his assistant.
- The princesses were asked to entertain Epstein's contacts and provide tours of Buckingham Palace.
- Ferguson, referred to as the "Duchess of Pork" in one email, coordinated some of these engagements.
Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and the emails do not directly implicate the princesses in illegal activity. However, royal commentators argue the disclosures complicate their public standing.
Public and expert reactions
Royal commentator Richard Palmer suggested the emails make it "difficult to distance themselves" from the scandal, while journalist Victoria Murphy acknowledged the material is "really, really uncomfortable" but noted lingering public sympathy for the sisters. Author Andrew Lownie, however, dismissed portrayals of them as "innocents," arguing they were adults at the time and "deeply involved."
"They weren't five-year-old girls when they were taken to see Epstein. They were grown-ups. There's a big campaign to say they are innocents caught up in the shellfire, but they're not."
Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled
Murphy countered that the princesses' actions were understandable given the lack of red flags at the time, particularly if their mother organized the meetings.
Impact on philanthropic and professional work
The controversy has cast a shadow over the princesses' charitable endeavors. Eugenie co-founded the Anti-Slavery Collective, which focuses on combating sex trafficking-a cause Lownie called "preposterously inappropriate" for her given the Epstein association. Donations to the charity plummeted from £1.5 million in 2024 to £48,000 in 2025, with no income from events or auctions in the latter year.
Other organizations have responded cautiously. The Salvation Army, which partners with Eugenie, stated it is "closely monitoring this story," while Outward Bound confirmed Beatrice's honorary role as deputy patron but did not comment further. The Anti-Slavery Collective has not responded to repeated requests for comment.
Professionally, Beatrice runs advisory firm BY-EQ, and Eugenie serves as a director at the Mayfair art gallery Hauser & Wirth. The gallery faces unrelated legal challenges over alleged Russian sanctions breaches, though Eugenie is not implicated. Beatrice was also photographed at an investment summit in Saudi Arabia last year, reflecting her family's long-standing Middle Eastern ties.
Family dynamics and royal future
Neither Beatrice nor Eugenie holds official royal roles, but they remain part of the monarchy's periphery. Both attended the 2025 Christmas service at Sandringham alongside the wider royal family, a decision seen as a signal of their continued inclusion. Royal insiders suggest King Charles permitted their presence as part of a tacit agreement to shield them from their parents' scandals.
Palmer noted the princesses remain privately loyal to their parents but must "separate themselves publicly" to avoid further reputational damage. Their appearance at Sandringham, walking just behind the King and Queen, underscored their ongoing status within "the Firm," as the royal institution is colloquially known.
However, their long-term position is uncertain. Historically close to Prince Harry and Prince William, the sisters now find themselves on the monarchy's fringes. Their ability to step out from their parents' shadow will likely determine their future relevance.
What's next
Ferguson's representatives have not commented on the emails, and the princesses' teams have remained silent. As the fallout continues, questions persist about their roles in Epstein's social circle and the broader implications for the royal family's reputation. Observers will be watching closely to see if they can rebuild public trust while navigating the legacy of their parents' associations.
