Sarah Ferguson branded Virginia Giuffre ‘salacious liar’ while defending Andrew as ‘one of the greatest men’ in a US TV interview

Sarah Ferguson branded Virginia Giuffre’s claim that she was forced to have sex with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor a ‘salacious lie’ while defending her ex-husband in an American TV interview. 

A clip of Sarah, now 66, reacting to Giuffre’s allegations against the former Duke of York during an ’embarrassing’ episode of The Meredith Vieira Show is being discussed by fans in the wake the latest Epstein files revelations. 

One of Jeffrey Epstein’s most prominent accusers, Ms Giuffre claimed in court filings that she was 17 when she was sex trafficked by the paedophile financier to Andrew in the early 2000s. 

Days later, in January 2015, Fergie told American broadcaster Meredith Vieira: ‘I don’t understand how people can make salacious lies up,’ and described her reaction to Ms Giuffre’s accusations as ‘total fury’. 

She went on to praise the disgraced ex-duke, who has since been stripped of his titles, as ‘one of the greatest men I’ve ever met in my life’.

Andrew has vehemently denied any wrongdoing but paid Ms Giuffre $12million to settle her sexual assault lawsuit in 2022, despite claiming he couldn’t recall ever meeting her – let alone having sex with her.

This week, however, the Daily Mail revealed how an unredacted email in the Epstein files stated that Andrew had ‘consensual’ sex with Ms Giuffre.

The paedophile financier did not correct a journalist who stated it as a fact that the former prince slept with the trafficking victim, who took her own life last year.

Fergie, whose own friendship and links with the paedophile financier face ongoing scrutiny, referred Ms Vieira to Buckingham Palace’s unprecedented statement that ’emphatically denied’ Andrew had ‘any sexual contact or relationship’ with Ms Giuffre. 

‘They stand by that denial,’ Fergie added. ‘There’s nothing more to be said. It is shockingly accusatory lies which I won’t stand by and let anybody believe. I have to shut it down right now.’ 

Sarah appeared on an episode of The Meredith Vieira Show that was broadcast in the United States on January 13, 2015. 

She was promoting the Weight Watchers weight loss programme after it helped her lose 50 pounds, but the press run was overshadowed by Ms Giuffre’s allegations in court documents filed in Florida weeks earlier. 

Ms Giuffre alleged that she was 17 when she was trafficked by the paedophile financier and forced to have sex with Andrew on three separate occasions.  

When asked about Ms Giuffre’s testimony, Fergie told Ms Vieira: ‘Knowing him as I know him – and he’s one of the greatest men I’ve ever met in my life and my best friend and great father to my children – I thought, “I don’t understand in this day and age how people can make salacious lies up and how the media then write about it and follow on with it”.

‘This is defamation of character of a person that is the opposite of how he has been portrayed,’ she continued. 

When asked if she was ‘hurt’ by the claims, Fergie said she felt ‘total fury’ instead. 

The controversial former royal added: ‘I know what it’s like to [have people spread lies] and not be able to say “I never did it, I didn’t do that, I didn’t do this.” Because then everyone goes, “Oh yeah, really?”. I want to say it on [Andrew’s] behalf.’ 

In an attempt to stir up sympathy for the former couple’s daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Fergie said: ‘Can you imagine what they’ve been through?’

‘So, what are you saying in the confines of your home, the four of you?’ Ms Vieira asked Fergie. 

‘That we will not be defeated, that we are impenetrable and that we will show by success.’ 

Over a decade later, the embattled ex-royals have more questions to answer than ever before. 

The release of the Epstein Files has triggered fresh scrutiny into the Yorks’ dealings with the convicted sex offender, as royal fans said Fergie’s interview with Ms Vieira was ’embarrassing’ and ‘repulsive’. 

Writing on Reddit, one person noted: ‘This didn’t age well.’

Another said: ‘Women who don’t believe women are red flags…’

Referring to the tranche of documents connected to Epstein, a third person added: ‘What is infuriating, though, is calling Virginia a “liar” while all along she had been cosying up with a convicted sex offender. She’s a hypocrite and a desperate sycophant.’ 

One comment read: ‘It’s incredible that she is so arrogant about it all knowing full well her own dependence on Epstein for money. Both she and Andrew have used people over the years and avarice is a deadly sin. There’s always a paper trail in such events so neither of them have a leg to stand on – they’re ruined.’

Emails in the files suggest Ferguson told Epstein she felt desperate about debts reportedly totalling £6million and sought his advice while he was serving a jail sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

The Mail on Sunday revealed days ago that Ferguson repeatedly asked Epstein to employ her as his house assistant because she ‘desperately’ needed the money.

Emails show the then Duchess pleaded for a job despite Epstein being under house arrest in Florida following his conviction for procuring a child for prostitution.

In one message sent in May 2010, she wrote: ‘But why I don’t understand, don’t you just get me to be your House Assistant.

‘I am the most capable and desperately need the money. Please Jeffrey think about it.’ 

The Epstein Files also revealed that Sarah, now 67, told the billionaire paedophile financier to ‘just marry me’ in an email exchange from January 2010 after he was convicted of soliciting sex from girls as young as 14.

In the email, the former Duchess wrote: ‘You are a legend. I really don’t have the words to describe my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness. Xx I am at your service. Just marry me.’

It wasn’t the first time she proposed marriage to Epstein; in another email dated September 2009, Fergie suggested the convicted sex trafficker wed an unnamed woman with a ‘great body’ before adding: ‘Ok, well marry me and then we will employ her.’

Meanwhile, a damning photo of Andrew crouching over the body of a young woman was released among the files, along with an unredacted email to Epstein from a journalist claiming he had ‘consensual sex’ with Ms Giuffre. 

On Tuesday, the Daily Mail revealed he did not correct the journalist who stated it as a fact that the former prince slept with the trafficking victim, who died by suicide last year. 

It came as a leading lawyer warned that Andrew could face prosecution for a ‘great many’ sexual offences because of the Epstein Files, including sex trafficking, sexual exploitation and even prostitution.

Marcus Johnstone, a leading criminal defence lawyer specialising in sex crime, claims Andrew may now be investigated over allegations he allowed sex trafficking victims into Buckingham Palace.

There are now claims a woman who could have been a trafficking victim was flown in on Epstein’s ‘Lolita Express’ and smuggled into the Palace to see Andrew using the codename ‘Mrs Windsor’.

Police will be looking for evidence proving Andrew ‘knowingly facilitated their exploitation’, he said.

Andrew has denied wrongdoing in relation to allegations of sexual misconduct. 

Detectives could also investigate Andrew for the offence of misconduct in public office when he was a UK trade envoy.

King Charles said last week he is ‘ready to support’ police as they consider allegations against his brother, while the Prince and Princess of Wales said they are ‘deeply concerned’ by the revelations in their first statement since the scandal erupted.