Trustee steps down from Catherine and Prince William's charity after emails with Jeffrey Epstein emerge

Countess Nicole Junkermann has stepped down as a trustee of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity following the emergence of her name in recently released Epstein Files documents.

The charity, which supports the specialist cancer hospital where the Princess of Wales received treatment during her illness in 2024, confirmed it had accepted her resignation.

Prince William has served as president of the Royal Marsden Hospital since 2007, taking over the role from his late mother, Princess Diana.

He and Catherine became joint patrons of the charity in January 2025, shortly after she announced her cancer remission.

The departure comes amid mounting pressure on royal-affiliated organisations to sever ties with individuals connected to Jeffrey Epstein's network.

Investigative reporting by The Telegraph revealed that Countess Junkermann exchanged emails with the disgraced financier over a period spanning nearly two decades.

The correspondence continued even after Epstein's 2008 conviction for sexually abusing underage girls.

In these messages, the German countess reportedly addressed the convicted sex offender using affectionate terms, calling him "baby" and referring to him as "Mr Wonderful" in one email sent whilst he was imprisoned.

One message dated June 2010 carried the subject line "Will you have a baby with me?" and was subsequently forwarded to Epstein five days later.

Another email allegedly contained the phrase "you are in my heart."

Countess Junkermann has stated that she "deeply regrets" her conversations with the late financier, maintaining that she was "deceived and misled by him."

She said she is "absolutely horrified to come to understand his true nature and the suffering he inflicted on women and girls through his abuse of trust, power and manipulation."

A spokesman for the countess told The Telegraph that she had withdrawn from her Royal Marsden role so the charity could remain focused on its mission "without distraction."

The spokesman added that Countess Junkermann would remain "deeply supportive of the charity and its mission" despite her departure.

GB News has contacted Countess Junkermann for comment.

Being named or pictured in the Epstein files does not imply wrongdoing.

Countess Junkermann, also known as Countess Nicole Brachetti Peretti, is a 50-year-old German billionaire who heads the investment firm NJF Capital, which backs technology ventures, including healthcare AI company Owkin that works with NHS trusts.

In 2018, she was appointed to the Department of Health's health tech advisory board by then Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

She joined the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity as a trustee in 2024 and has also resigned from a visiting professorship at Lancaster University.

Her exit represents one of the most significant consequences from the latest Epstein document release affecting royal-linked institutions, reflecting growing intolerance toward any perceived proximity to the convicted sex offender's network.