Sarah Ferguson has been hit with a major rejection as the fallout from the Epstein files continues to thwart her plans for a comeback.
The former duchess became further embroiled in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal when the US Department of Justice began to release files in late 2025.
She not only referred to the convicted paedophile as a “brother”, “friend” and “pillar” in her life, but also kept in close correspondence with him while he was jailed in the late 2000s.
Sign up to The Nightly’s newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.
Previously, it had been thought her connection to Epstein was a result of her continuing close relationship with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, whom she continued to live with at the Royal Lodge even after their 1996 divorce.
Now, after months in hiding and a shameful exit from her formerly luxurious royal quarters, Ms Ferguson has reportedly faced a million-dollar rejection.
The ex-duchess has felt the financial toll of the Andrew and Epstein scandal, with six businesses related to her having been wound up, alongside her charity Sarah’s Trust.
Side-stepping these woes, Ms Ferguson was understood to have been seeking an advance on her new book from various publishers in the United States, OK magazine reported.
The outlet reported the sum she sought was was nearly $3 million. Instead of being handed a hefty paycheque, the former duchess has reportedly faced a wave of rejections.
The 66-year-old is the author of many children’s books, included the Little Red series, named after the doll from the logo of her charity Chances for Children.
Ms Ferguson was last seen in “public” at the christening of Beatrice’s second daughter in late December 2025. This was less than two months after Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his princely title in October that year.
She was kicked out of the Royal Lodge alongside Mr Mountbatten-Windsor in February, following intense public scrutiny. Ms Ferguson remained out of sight when the disgraced former prince was arrested on his 66th birthday on the suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Her public image worsened when emails revealed she had likely taken her daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie on a trip to visit Epstein in New York just days after he was released from prison in 2009. Beatrice was 21-years-old at the time, while Eugenie was 19-years-old.
The files indicate the former duchess also asked Epstein, who is understood to have covered the cost of the trio’s travels, to upgrade their flights back to the UK.
Ms Ferguson went into hiding, isolating herself from the disgraced former prince. She reportedly holed up at a wellness retreat in Zurich, Switzerland (and a costly one at that).
Inside sources have been consistent in the message that Ms Ferguson would like to make a financial comeback. She was known to be “bad” with money, making fortunes off creative and television endeavours, only to barrel through her earnings in an instant.
To add insult to injury, her two princess daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, are isolated from the royal family, with neither attending any of the major events in 2026, including Easter events as of Friday April 3.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has been facing “bail like conditions” imposed on him by his brother King Charles II. He’s been restricted to the grounds of Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate ahead of his move to Marsh Farm later this year.
Inside sources have reported that Ms Ferguson plans to distance herself from the former prince when she returns to life in the UK. But when that is remains unknown.
