Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie will find that a lot has happened in the four days they were away from the UK.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh wrapped up their four-day tour on behalf of King Charles on Monday, September 22, after beginning their official visit on Friday.
Their schedule included everything from the MUSUBI Initiative Reception to taking in a sumo wrestling match, earning praise for representing the Crown abroad.
But while the couple were winning hearts in Tokyo, Buckingham Palace was rocked by a renewed Jeffrey Epstein scandal — this time involving Sarah Ferguson rather than Prince Andrew. Leaked emails from 2011 showed Fergie apologising to the disgraced financier and calling him a “supreme friend” after publicly distancing herself from him.
The royal family’s official Instagram page tried to steer attention back to the positives.
”Goodbye and thank you, Japan,” read a statement, repeating the same message in Japanese. “The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s visit has been all about looking to the future.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome!” the message concluded.
Now back on British soil, Edward and Sophie’s successful tour will no doubt be a relief to King Charles — especially as their brother Andrew’s past continues to cast shadows.
A spokesperson for the Duchess of York has claimed that the email was a reaction to Epstein threatening to sue her for defamation, but the damage has been done.
Fergie has been cut off by multiple charities, and all eyes are now on King Charles as to what he decides to do with the Yorks.