Sarah Ferguson has been stripped of the Freedom of the City of York due to her associations with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The decision was finalized during a City of York Council meeting on Thursday, where members of the public urged councillors to take action, describing it as the bare minimum response.
The honorary title was originally granted to the then Duke and Duchess of York on their wedding day in 1987. However, following the disclosure of new, deeply personal emails between Ferguson and Epstein, councillors unanimously agreed to revoke the honour.
Liberal Democrat councillor Darryl Smalley highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating that the recently released documents revealed Ferguson maintained a close friendship with Epstein well after his conviction. He emphasized that while recipients of York’s highest accolade need not be flawless, they should not be closely associated with convicted paedophiles. Smalley affirmed the council’s commitment to victims, the rule of law, and decency, urging colleagues to support the motion.
Labour councillor Anna Baxter noted the importance of reflecting contemporary values, stressing that the honour should be reserved for individuals of distinction who have rendered eminent service, aligning with the city’s current principles.
During the debate, Gwen Swinburn, a member of the public, addressed the council, insisting that removing Ferguson’s freedom was an obvious and necessary step.
Labour group leader Claire Douglas reinforced this stance, stating that holding such an honour requires upholding values consistent with the city’s expectations. She pointed out that those who maintained relationships with Epstein after his crimes became public clearly failed to meet these standards, explicitly including Ferguson based on the Epstein files.
The honorary freedom of the city is traditionally awarded to residents demonstrating notable service, distinguished individuals, and royalty. However, emails revealed as part of millions of published documents showed Ferguson soliciting financial assistance from Epstein while he was under house arrest.
Further details emerged about her close relationship with Epstein, including her stay at a £13,000-a-day wellness clinic in Switzerland. She also expressed gratitude to Epstein for being a “supreme friend” and took her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, to lunch with him shortly after his release from jail.
In one particularly embarrassing email, Ferguson appeared to ask Epstein to “just marry me.” Many of these exchanges occurred after Epstein’s 2008 arrest for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Another message revealed her fears about the Royal Family’s reaction, stating, “No woman has ever left the Royal family with her head, and they cannot behead me, therefore they will discredit me.”
