York Strips Sarah Ferguson of City Honor Over Epstein Ties

The former Duchess of York loses a decades-old accolade amid renewed scrutiny of her relationship with the convicted sex offender.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 11:42pm

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Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, has been stripped of the Freedom of the City of York honor she had held since 1987. The move comes after renewed scrutiny of her long-standing relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with city officials saying those who kept ties with Epstein after his crimes 'fall well short' of the city's values and behaviors expected of honorees.

Why it matters

The decision to revoke Ferguson's honor highlights the continued fallout from the Epstein scandal, with public figures facing consequences for their associations with the disgraced financier. It also reflects growing pressure on Ferguson to provide evidence about her relationship with Epstein, which she has so far declined to do.

The details

Councillors in York voted unanimously on Thursday to revoke the Freedom of the City honor that Ferguson had held since 1987, the year after she married Prince Andrew. The move follows the release of millions of US Justice Department documents that have renewed scrutiny of Ferguson's ties to Epstein. While appearing in those records does not imply criminal behavior, York's Labour leader Claire Douglas said the city expects honorees to reflect its 'values and behaviors,' and that those who kept ties with Epstein after his crimes 'fall well short' of that bar.

  • Ferguson received the Freedom of the City of York honor in 1987.
  • Councillors in York voted to revoke the honor on March 27, 2026.

The players

Sarah Ferguson

The former Duchess of York who had held the Freedom of the City of York honor since 1987.

Claire Douglas

The Labour leader for York's Council, who said the city expects honorees to reflect its 'values and behaviors.'

Darryl Smalley

A Liberal Democrat Councillor in York, who said the city does not want its highest honor to go to 'best friends of convicted pedophiles.'

Jeffrey Epstein

The convicted sex offender whose ties to Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew have led to consequences for both.

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What they’re saying

“We don't expect recipients of York's highest honor to be saints. We simply do not want them to be best friends of convicted pedophiles.”

— Darryl Smalley, Liberal Democrat Councillor

“We don't expect recipients of York's highest honor to be saints. We simply do not want them to be best friends of convicted pedophiles.”

— Darryl Smalley, Liberal Democrat Councillor

What’s next

There are no clear next steps announced, but Ferguson may face growing pressure to provide evidence about her relationship with Epstein.

The takeaway

This decision highlights the continued fallout from the Epstein scandal, with public figures facing consequences for their associations with the disgraced financier. It also reflects the high standards expected of those honored by the city of York, who must uphold the city's values and behaviors.