Sarah Ferguson has been seen in public for the first time in 213 days, spotted in Austria amidst the fallout from her association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The former Duchess of York, who was stripped of her title in October last year due to her ties to Epstein, appeared solemn at a high-end Alpine ski resort. Photographs captured her near a chalet in an undisclosed Austrian village.
Recent documents released by the US Department of Justice revealed that in 2009, Ferguson had communicated with Epstein while he was incarcerated for sex offenses involving a minor. The papers also indicated that she had planned to visit him at his residence shortly after his release. Notably, inclusion in the Epstein files does not imply culpability.
Ferguson’s most recent public appearance prior to this sighting was at the funeral of the Duchess of Kent in September. Last month, she was stripped of her Freedom of the City of York title following revelations about her connections to Epstein.
During a council discussion, Liberal Democrat councillor Darryl Smalley highlighted Ferguson’s ongoing friendship with Epstein post-conviction, leading to the decision to revoke her honors in York. He emphasized the city’s commitment to supporting victims of abuse and upholding the integrity of its highest accolades. The council unanimously voted to remove Ferguson’s title, aiming to sever ties with individuals associated with criminal activities.