What stands out to me when I read that Andrew and Fergie's emails have been leaked is that if true, then Andrew and Fergie definitely should have cut all ties with Epstein. No doubt about it. But more concerning to me now for the future is that their emails from 2011 were leaked at all. This, in my opinion, is a dangerous precedent as their emails are being used not in a court of law, but in the court of public opinion. Who else is reading Royal emails that can be used against them when the time seems right? Could William or Charles have sent an email that could be used against them? Maybe they have sent an email to a friend venting their frustration at things that may have gone wrong or tired them out on a single day of royal duties that can be used against them in the future with the headline, "I am tired of royal duties!"
I believe I understand your concern over the leaking of emails and subsequent judgements in the court of public opinion. However, the concern in this case is about associating with people convicted of extremely serious crimes. I think, because of the strong belief of a coverup, some people feel that leaking material is justified to get around coverups.
You are correct. They associated with people (Epstein, Maxwell and others?) convicted of extremely serious crimes. In the court of public opinion, the jury of all social media says Andrew and Fergie are guilty. They will now be private citizens, but they will never actually have private lives because Andrew is still a Prince. The Bank of Charles may still need to fund them (unless there is money left to Andrew from his mother) because it would be easy for Andrew and Fergie who may need the money to sell out others who they may know to be associated with Epstein in a tell all book. Epstein and Maxwell had lots of parties that involved people in high places. I don't think that Andrew and Fergie will write such a book, but it could happen in a, "If I'm going down, then I'm taking others with me" mentality. The reason I don't think Andrew or Fergie would write such a book is because of their daughters and grandchildren. I do think that whatever bad decisions they have made, they will or have paid the price (12 million to a prostitute who herself obtained young girls for her pimps Epstein and Maxwell) and of losing royal status as well as their jobs and reputation to keep their children and grandchildren visiting them as mom, grandmother, dad, and grandfather. I do think that their immediate family is important to them. As long as they have retirement money, I don't think Andrew and Fergie will mind being retired.