World News for Students of English

26-09-2025 07:00

The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, has been removed as patron of Julia’s House, a UK children’s hospice charity, after an email surfaced in which she called convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein her supreme friend.

The email, revealed by newspapers, dates back to 2011, after Epstein had already been convicted. While Ferguson had publicly distanced herself from him, in private she apologized and praised him as loyal and generous. Her spokesperson later said she wrote the message to avoid legal problems. The charity said it would be inappropriate for Ferguson to continue supporting their work with very ill children. Ferguson had been involved since 2018, joining other well-known figures connected to the charity. A spokesperson for the Duchess said she wouldn’t comment on the decision. Other charities, including Teenage Cancer Trust and youth organizations, are now reviewing their ties with her. The case raises questions about reputation, responsibility, and how charities manage their public image.

Difficult words: patron (a famous or important person who supports a group, often a charity), hospice (a place that cares for very sick people who may not get better), distance (to move away from someone or something), reputation (what people think about someone).

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