Julia's House announced the move on Monday after it emerged Sarah Ferguson had called Epstein a "steadfast, generous and supreme friend", according to a leaked email dated 26 April 2011 - just weeks after she told reporters she would "never have anything to do with" the convicted sex offender again.

The hospice, in the Dorset and Wiltshire area, said in a statement issued to The Independent: "Following the information shared this weekend on the Duchess of York's correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, Julia's House has taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue as a patron of the charity. We have advised the Duchess of York of this decision and thank her for her past support."

The email, first reported by the Sun on Sunday and the Daily Mail, reportedly showed that the duchess had "humbly apologised" to the financier for linking him to paedophilia in the media, before lathering him with praise about his strength and generosity.

But her spokesperson has insisted that Ms Ferguson sent the letter only in an attempt to "assuage Epstein and his threats", claiming he had threatened to sue her for defamation for her comments in the media.