Following the discovery of emails in which Ferguson referred to Jeffrey Epstein—later found guilty of sex crimes—as a “supreme friend,” Prince William is reportedly pressuring King Charles to formally withdraw Prince Andrew and Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson from the royal family’s public duties.
The dispute arose from a 2011 letter in which Ferguson purportedly thanked and praised Epstein, defying previous public declarations that distanced her from him. Her patronage was terminated by several UK charities as a result of the disclosure.
According to sources, William believes the leak is extremely damaging and wants Andrew and Ferguson to suffer severe penalties in order to preserve the legitimacy of the monarchy. However, King Charles seems reluctant to completely cut off these ties, citing enduring relationships and worries about tradition and loyalty within the Crown.
Observers have noted that William’s position reflects broader worries among younger royals about restoring the monarchy’s credibility in the wake of prior scandals, which has led to tension within the royal household.