A distressing new detail has reportedly emerged, revealing that Sarah Ferguson once emailed convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, referring to him as a 'supreme friend'.

Child sex offender Epstein, who was convicted, was discovered hanging in his New York prison cell on 10 August 2019, as he awaited his trial on sex trafficking charges without the possibility of bail.

Since then, there have been calls for the so-called 'Epstein Files' to be disclosed, amid ongoing suspicions that a little black book of celebrity names might exist.

Now, the Duchess of York finds herself entangled in the controversy after it was revealed she apologised to the sex offender in April 2011, despite having publicly distanced herself from him in the media.

The email originated from an interview with the Evening Standard on March 7, 2011, during which Ferguson expressed regret for accepting £15,000 from Epstein.

She told the publication: “I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children, and I recognize that this was a colossal error of judgment on my part. I am deeply remorseful and can barely articulate it."

More reported details have emerged surrounding Sarah Ferguson's resurfaced email to Jeffrey Epstein (Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images)

“Whenever possible, I will repay the money and ensure I have no further dealings with Jeffrey Epstein ever again."

A little over a month later, according to PA Media, the duchess sent a message to Epstein, stating: “I realize you feel terribly let down by me, and I must sincerely apologise to you and your heart for this."

She continued: “You have consistently been a steadfast, generous, and supreme friend to me and my family. I was advised unequivocally to sever all ties with you and to refrain from speaking or emailing you.

“And if I did - it would cause further issues for you, the Duke, and myself. I was shattered and lost.

“So please understand. I didn’t want to hurt Andrew again. I was overwhelmed by fear. I am sorry.”

Now, the duchess' spokesman, James Henderson, has stated that the email was sent 'in the context of advice the duchess received to attempt to assuage Epstein and his threats'.

Expounding on this in an interview with the Telegraph, he detailed the alleged circumstances of the alarming call that prompted Ferguson to send the email.

The financier reportedly became furious upon hearing what Ferguson had said about him, prompting him to contact the duchess' advisor with threats of legal action.

Revealing details of this call, Henderson told the publication: “People don’t understand how terrifying Epstein was. I vividly recall everything about that call.

Epstein reportedly called the duchess' advisor before she sent the email (Kypros/Getty Images)

“It was a chilling call, and I'm surprised anyone was ever friends with him, considering the way he spoke to me."

He added: “He threatened to ruin the York family and made it clear he would also destroy me.

"He wasn’t yelling. His voice was reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter—very cold, calm, and extremely menacing and unpleasant.”

Henderson asserts that Ferguson dispatched the email after this call, panicked by his threats.

As mentioned earlier, several charities have severed their connections with the duchess following the email's exposure in the media last week.

In a statement, the Teenage Cancer Trust announced: “We have decided to terminate our relationship with the Duchess of York, and as of today, she is no longer a patron of Teenage Cancer Trust.

“We have communicated this decision to the Duchess. We would like to express our gratitude to the Duchess of York for her support.”

This announcement followed similar statements from Wiltshire and Dorset-based children’s hospice Julia’s House, Prevent Breast Cancer, and The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, all of which severed ties with the duchess on Monday.