Pressure is mounting on Sarah Ferguson to provide sworn testimony to US lawmakers as a congressional investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein case seeks to uncover the full extent of the disgraced financier’s network.
Members of the House Oversight Committee have publicly called for the former Duchess of York to appear before them, citing evidence from millions of pages of newly released documents that detail her longstanding friendship with the convicted sex offender. Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, a member of the committee, told the BBC he now believes Ferguson has “information related to the investigation” and stated, “Sarah Ferguson should give sworn testimony to our committee.”
While there is no legal mechanism to compel the British citizen to testify, lawmakers have indicated a willingness to “work out terms that work for her,” provided she is under oath. Their calls have been supported by the family of Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre, who accused Ferguson’s ex-husband, Prince Andrew, of sexual abuse. A representative for Giuffre’s brother said they “strongly” believe Ferguson should answer questions, stating: “If Ferguson knows anything, she should testify in the United States immediately.”
Emails Reveal ‘Supreme Friend’ and Family Links
The impetus for the congressional interest stems from documents released by the US Department of Justice under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The files appear to reveal a close and enduring connection that continued even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
In one email exchange from 2009, Ferguson referred to Epstein as “the brother I have always wished for,” updating him on business opportunities. The following year, she called him a “legend,” expressed her “gratitude,” and wrote: “Xx I am at your service. Just marry me.” A later email, reportedly from October 2025, described him as a “supreme friend.” Analysts suggest the correspondence paints a picture of financial and emotional dependence, with one email allegedly showing Ferguson describing herself to Epstein as “very traumatised and alone.”
The documents also suggest Ferguson involved her family in the relationship. They indicate she took her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, to lunch with Epstein in Miami shortly after his release from prison in 2009, with some reports linking the meeting to Princess Eugenie’s 21st birthday. There are further claims the princesses may have shown Epstein’s guests around Buckingham Palace on several occasions.
Ferguson has previously expressed regret for her association with Epstein. In a 2011 interview with the Evening Standard, she apologized for accepting £15,000 from him, calling it a “gigantic error of judgment.” A spokesman for Ferguson stated that the later “supreme friend” email was sent on the advice of her lawyers after Epstein threatened to sue her for associating him with sexual abuse in a media interview.
Charity Exodus and a Retreat from Public Life
The fallout from the email revelations has been severe and ongoing. In September 2025, as details emerged, several UK charities severed their ties with Ferguson, including Julia’s House, The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, and the Teenage Cancer Trust. This was followed in February 2026 by the closure of her own charity, Sarah’s Trust, which announced it would shut “for the foreseeable future,” a decision trustees said had been under discussion for “some months.”
Ferguson has also faced significant personal upheaval. In October 2025, she lost her courtesy title of Duchess of York when her ex-husband relinquished his Duke of York title. She was subsequently forced to move out of the sprawling Windsor home, Royal Lodge, which she shared with Prince Andrew.
She has not been seen publicly for months, with her last noted appearance at her granddaughter’s christening in December 2025. Unconfirmed reports have placed her in locations including the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Switzerland, and a wellness retreat in Ireland. Speculation is growing that she is considering a lucrative tell-all interview or memoir, with reports of six-figure offers for an exclusive account.
However, legal advice appears to be firmly against engaging with the US investigation. Media lawyer Jonathan Coad, who has represented Ferguson in the past, told the BBC there was “no chance” she would testify, advising strongly against it. He called the prospect a “disaster” for her, her daughters, and for Prince Andrew, “as it would show him up for not going.”
The pressure on Ferguson forms part of the House Oversight Committee’s broader investigation into the handling of Epstein’s prosecution, which has seen subpoenas issued to former Attorneys General and requests for documents from the Treasury Department. It also unfolds against the backdrop of continued legal jeopardy for her ex-husband.
Prince Andrew was arrested in February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, reportedly related to allegations he sent confidential trade reports to Epstein in 2010. He was released under investigation and has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The arrest followed King Charles’s decision to formally strip him of his royal titles and duties in October 2025. Andrew has since been ordered to surrender his lease on Royal Lodge and departed the property in February 2026.
