Sarah Ferguson has made her first public appearance in 213 days in Austria, amid scrutiny over her connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Pictures reveal the former Duchess of York, who was stripped of her title last year when her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor renounced his Duke of York title due to his ties with Epstein, looking solemn at a high-end Alpine ski retreat.
The 66-year-old Ms. Ferguson had been out of the public eye for over seven months before being photographed recently. The Sun reported that she was seen near her chalet in an Austrian village but did not specify the location. This sighting follows the release of documents by the US Department of Justice in late January, which disclosed Ms. Ferguson’s communication with Epstein in 2009, including plans to visit him after his prison release for soliciting sex from a minor. It is important to note that being mentioned in the Epstein files does not imply any wrongdoing.
Ms. Ferguson’s most recent public appearance prior to this was at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral in September. Last month, she was stripped of her Freedom of the City of York title after a unanimous decision by councillors due to new revelations concerning her association with Epstein.
During the council debate, Liberal Democrat councillor Darryl Smalley emphasized the importance of upholding decency and justice, expressing the community’s solidarity with victims of sexual abuse. He urged fellow councillors to support the motion to revoke Ms. Ferguson’s honor and emphasized the need to move forward by honoring individuals who truly deserve recognition.
This development is part of ongoing efforts by the city to distance itself from individuals with controversial connections, aiming to uphold the integrity of its highest honors.