Sarah Ferguson demanded that her business-class flight to New York to visit Jeffrey Epstein following his release from prison be upgraded by the disgraced financier to first class, new emails have revealed.
The former Duchess of York, who was facing bankruptcy at the time, even pushed for her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, to move from economy to club class for the July 2009 visit, as they were due to accompany their mother on the trip, the emails suggest.
Epstein had been released from prison in 2009 after serving 13 months of an 18-month sentence for soliciting prostitution and was placed on probation.
Ferguson’s office contacted Epstein within hours of his release, asking him to “graciously” cover the cost of the trip, the Daily Mail reported.
It uncovered the emails in the latest tranche of Epstein files.
Epstein reportedly agreed with a simple “ok,” but Ferguson then demanded the upgrade to first class just hours before departure.
In one email titled “The Duchess of York,” Epstein’s house manager Lesley 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."
The executive assistant was believed to be Amanda Lewis, then Ferguson’s aide.
The following morning, Ms Groff updated Epstein again: "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..."
After Epstein agreed with a simple “ok,” Ms Groff began organising the trip.
Ferguson seemingly requested a three-day stay in New York, with flights described as having “crazy high price tags.”
Emails reveal Epstein’s staff scrambling to meet Ferguson’s demands, including booking the most expensive British Airways flight using her frequent flyer number.
Staff noted that her request—first-class tickets for herself and business-class for her daughters—would cost over $30,000, with no cheaper alternatives available for the return flight, The Mail reported.
Just hours before the flight’s departure, Ms Groff informed Epstein that Ferguson was demanding to be upgraded from business class.
On July 30, 2009, she wrote: “The following is from Amanda the Duchess' assistant...would you like me to see if we can change the seats? I recall the plane being rather booked up!
“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 minutes, Epstein replied: “i said nothing,, do not respond.”
Ms Groff agreed not to respond.
Ferguson and her daughters stayed with American businessman Philip Levine in Miami before visiting Jeffrey Epstein on July 27, 2009, using his car and driver.
A representative for Ferguson declimed to comment.
