The Duchess of York hit headlines in recent days after it was revealed she wrote to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to apologise for not allowing him a public statement following his conviction of child sex offences. Several charities cut ties with Sarah this week following the bombshell. Among the organisations to end their partnership with the Duchess was the Teenage Cancer Trust, which dropped her as patron after 35 years. It’s now come to light that actress Natalie Dormer, who is set to play Sarah in The Lady on ITV, said the Duchess’s “inexcusable” behaviour means she would no longer promote the show and will give up her salary.
“Since completing the project, new information has come to light that makes it impossible for me to reconcile my values with Sarah Ferguson’s behaviour, which I believe is inexcusable,” the Daily Mail reports.
“For that reason, I will not be taking part in the promotion of the project. In keeping with my commitment to the well-being of children.”
She told the Telegraph: “I have donated my entire salary from this project to the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) and the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse.”
The yet-to-be-released drama follows the downfall of Sarah’s dresser, Jane Andrews, who was locked up in 2001 for murdering her lover.
Andrews stabbed her partner, Tom Cressman, in the chest with a kitchen knife at their Fulham home in 2000. The killer became pals with Sarah after starting her role at Buckingham Palace in 1988.
The official synopsis reads: “Moving amongst the highest social circles in Britain, Jane managed to secure a place in the upper-classes, only to lose her job with the Duchess after nine years of service.
“Still reeling from her fall from grace, Jane went on to meet charismatic businessman Thomas Cressman and fell deeply in love. Soon cracks began to develop in the romance Jane had pinned all her hopes on, with disastrous consequences.”
