Andrew Mounbatten-Windsor scandal: Sarah Ferguson rumoured to be plotting reality TV comeback

Former duchess Sarah Ferguson is reportedly plotting a comeback after being shunned over her friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Ms Ferguson has been holed up in Zurich, Switzerland, reportedly telling confidants that she yearns to get back into the business of making money.

After the US department of justice released a trove of Epstein files, the former duchess was thrown into hot water alongside her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

In emails attributed to Ms Ferguson, she referred to Epstein as a “friend”, “brother” and “pillar” in her life.

The fallout from the files saw six businesses Ms Ferguson is associated with shut down, as well as her charity Sarah’s Trust.

Now, The Mirror has revealed that despite public outrage, Ms Ferguson might be in talks to make a return to television.

She has been tipped to join The Traitors US, a reality TV show where “faithful” contestants must work together to banish “traitors” in order to claim a shared prize fund.

Mitchell Jackson, a crisis PR strategist, said the ex-duchess is running out of options to turn things around this time, and that Traitors might be her only hope.

“With PR you work backwards from the goal. What she needs now is a lifeline, financially and reputationally and the only lifeline I see is The Traitors. That’s the only lifeline,” he said.

“PR is poker and she’s been dealt the villain card. She can’t play any other one. She should do it for free. It’s her only option.”

Ms Ferguson’s public image was 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.

Prior to the release of the Epstein files, Ms Ferguson’s connection to Epstein was known, but widely thought to have been more of by-product of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s relationship with the disgraced financier.

She has remained in hiding for months. Her last somewhat public appearance was at the christening of Beatrice’s second daughter in late December.

UK outlets and royal observers reported that she has been laying low since Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his princely title on October 30 last year.

Though she divorced from the ex-duke in 1996, she remained his companion, living with him at the Royal Lodge for decades.

Ms Ferguson was spotted sneaking in and out of the Windsor Estate in the weeks leading up to their official booting in early February, taking boxes upon boxes of items with her.

Reports indicated that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was somewhat of a hoarder, the rooms of the Royal Lodge lined with possessions he insisted he could not part with.

Though he was released after 11 hours of questioning following his arrest on February 19, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor is still being investigated by police.

His arrest was on the suspicion of misconduct in public office, in relation to accusations that he shared sensitive information with Epstein while he was trade envoy.

Beatrice and Eugenie have faced scrutiny over their own mentions in the Epstein files, but have not made any public appearances since.

No reports have indicated a change to Ms Ferguson’s whereabouts since she was spotted in luxury wellness retreat in Switzerland.

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.