Documents showed that Fergie, as she is otherwise known, maintained a close relationship with Epstein even after publicly condemning him in March 2011. The bombshell updates led to her recent fall from grace, as it emerged that in emails sent in April of that year, she said sorry to Epstein, claiming she “never used the P (paedophilia) word about you”. She appeared to have added that Epstein had “always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family”.
Last September, when the bombshells emerged, her spokesperson said she was “taken in by his lies” and that she had sent the email only to avoid the threat of defamation.
They said the apology email “was sent in the context of advice the Duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats.”
Now, new emails have emerged, first noted by the i Newspaper, that appear to show Epstein had sent a legal letter to Fergie’s lawyer in April 2011, urging her to “reconsider her current stance”.
Ms Ferguson’s representative branded the letter a “threat”, saying the tone of the email was “somewhat alarming”, adding that it “could be construed as attempted blackmail”.
Other emails between Epstein and those advising him show they discussed ways to “turn up the heat” on Ferguson.
Fergie said in March 2011: “I personally, on behalf of myself, deeply regret that Jeffrey Epstein became involved in any way with me.
“I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf. I am just so contrite I cannot say. Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.”
A spokesperson for Ms Ferguson said last year: “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.”
Fergie was stripped of her title last year and forced to vacate her home in Windsor, Royal Lodge, following the latest developments in her association with Epstein.