The family of Virginia Giuffre have demanded that Sarah Ferguson be stripped of her royal title over her connection to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
In an interview with BBC Newsnight, Giuffre’s brother and sister-in-law spoke out after an email emerged in which the Duchess of York apologised to Epstein and referred to him as a ‘supreme friend’ – even though he had already been convicted of sex crimes.
In the correspondence the Duchess ‘humbly apologised’ to the convicted sex offender for letting him down and said she had been told to speak out if she wanted to save her career as a children’s author.
The bombshell revelations quickly led to seven charities including the Teenage Cancer Trust and British Heart Foundation severing ties with Ferguson.
Now, Virginia‘s devastated family are demanding the Royal Family take action – starting with removing her royal title.
Sky Roberts, Virginia’s brother, tore into her conduct, telling Newsnight: ‘To call Epstein a ‘supreme friend’ after his conviction is indefensible. The public is watching, and this is just the beginning.’
He added that the Duchess’s role in child-focused charities is now ‘untenable’ given her association with Epstein, who had already served time for soliciting sex from a minor when she emailed him privately.
His wife, Amanda Roberts, was equally damning: ‘Every survivor faces defamation. If you’re in Epstein’s circle, it was very obvious what was happening. Minors were around him constantly. For friends to act unaware is preposterous.’
In an interview with BBC Newsnight, Giuffre’s brother and sister-in-law spoke out after an email emerged in which the Duchess of York apologised to Epstein and referred to him as a ‘supreme friend’
Prince Andrew paid a multi-million pound settlement to Giuffre in 2022 without admitting liability after she accused him of sexually assaulting her three times when she was 17 – allegations he strongly denies
The pair called for urgent accountability, not just for Ferguson, but also for he ex-husband Prince Andrew, who paid a multi-million pound settlement to Giuffre in 2022 without admitting liability after she accused him of sexually assaulting her three times when she was 17 – allegations he strongly denies.
Sky Roberts didn’t hold back: ‘He has questions to answer. The settlement avoided discovery, which could have exposed more.’
Amanda Roberts said Virginia was left ‘disgusted’ by Prince Andrew’s infamous 2019 interview with BBC Newsnight, saying it showed his inability to give a consistent or convincing account of events.
Amanda Roberts also blasted the US government over the recent decision to move Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice, to a low-security prison, calling it ‘the biggest betrayal of our government.’
‘She does not belong in a facility for white-collar crime,’ she said. ‘She has been convicted of trafficking minors. It feels like an abuse of power.’
The family also warned of a potential cover-up at the highest levels, saying political pressure is being used to block the release of Epstein-related documents in the US Congress.
Sky Roberts said bluntly: ‘Your House representatives serve you. Not the President. Not the rich and powerful.’
Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York attend the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025
Amanda Roberts was even more direct when asked whether the White House was siding with paedophiles: ‘They have to do a real gut check with their morality… Am I going to stand by paedophiles or am I gonna serve my constituents?’
Sky added: ‘We’re not accusing anybody of anything. Your actions speak louder than words. And right now, their actions, they stink of a cover-up. Period.’
A spokesperson for the Duchess said previously: ‘The Duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been, her first thoughts are with his victims.
‘Like many people, she was taken in by his lies. As soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations against him, she not only cut off contact but condemned him publicly, to the extent that he then threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia. She does not resile from anything she said then.
‘This email was sent in the context of advice the Duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats.’
Best known for her Budgie the Helicopter, Little Red and Helping Hand series, Sarah Ferguson has published more than 50 children and young adult books.
In November, she is due to publish Kindness Along The Way, the second book in her new series of Flora & Fen picture books.
Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment.
