Breaking her silence: Fergie stands by Prince Andrew amid Jeffrey Epstein scandal

Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson has spoken out for the very first time about Prince Andrew’s embroilment in the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal.

The Duchess of York appeared to reveal that she is standing by her ex-husband at a charity event in London on Tuesday.

“I think the most important thing in life is family hood,” the 59-year-old told The Sun at the BFI Luminous Fundraising Gala when asked if she was supporting the duke.

Fergie calls for ‘kindness’

Up until then, Fergie had remained tight-lipped about Andrew’s relationship with convicted paedophile Epstein, who died by suicide in prison on August 10 while facing sex trafficking charges.

Elsewhere at the gala, which is held to raise funds for emerging filmmakers, the duchess called on people to be kinder and more supportive of one another.

“I’ve been talking a lot about kindness. I think there’s not enough kindness and I think people should be much more supportive of young people now,” she said.

“I think we need young British filmmakers and creative people out there and I think we need to make a dramatic difference,” she added.

Prince Andrew and Epstein

Prince Andrew, 59, is believed to have first met the disgraced billionaire in 1999 after being introduced by Epstein's then-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. They were spotted together multiple times throughout the next decade, with Andrew being photographed at several of Epstein’s properties around the globe.

The prince is facing allegations that he slept with Epstein's 17-year-old 'sex slave' Virginia Roberts in 2001, an accusation he strongly denies.

The duke maintains he never 'witnessed or suspected any improper behaviour by Epstein' although he has admitted it was a 'mistake' to meet with the US mogul in New York in 2011 after the billionaire's release from prison for child sex offences.

Fergie has her own ties to Epstein having reportedly accepted a $27.5k loan to help pay off a personal debt.

She made a public apology in 2011 in which she called the loan a “gigantic error of judgement” and revealed that it was Andrew who organised the payment for her.

The duke in Australia

Prince Andrew touched down in Australia on Tuesday, the same day his ex-wife pledged her support, on an official ‘working visit’.

The royal is in the country for Pitch@Palace, which will see young Aussie entrepreneurs put forward their business ideas in a bid to qualify for the event’s global championships in London.

Although low-key in nature, the trip marks Andrew’s second official jaunt down under in less than two years—and comes after his brother Prince Edward stopped by New South Wales last month.

Fergie and Prince Andrew were married in 1986 but called it quits 20 years later.

They share two daughters, Princesses Eugenie, 29, and Beatrice, 31, who recently announced her engagement to Italian property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 34.

“We’re very proud,” Fergie said at the BFI Luminous Fundraising Gala.

Got a story tip or just want to get in touch? Email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com

Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Or sign up to our daily newsletter here.