THE DUCHESS of York put on a brave face yesterday after being forced to issue an apology over an embarrassing newspaper sting in which she accepted money for access to her former husband.
Sarah Ferguson collected an award in the US for her charitable work hours after admitting a “serious lapse in judgment” over the affair.
The News of the Worldfilmed her promising to introduce an undercover reporter posing as a wealthy businessman to Prince Andrew, who has been the UK's special representative for international trade and investment since 2001. Shunning the red carpet at last night's event in Los Angeles, the duchess ducked through a side entrance to the awards ceremony, which was organised by children's charity Variety International.
She was photographed smiling and waving during the event at which she picked up an award for her work with underprivileged children. She arrived in Los Angeles on an American Airlines flight from London’s Heathrow airport.
On Saturday, she and elder daughter Beatrice (21) were guests at a party for supermodel Naomi Campbell’s 40th birthday in the French Riviera.
The duchess said her financial situation was “no excuse for a serious lapse in judgment” after being filmed offering to sell access to her ex-husband for £500,000. “I can confirm that the Duke of York was not aware or involved in any of the discussions that occurred.”
In a video on the News of the Worldwebsite, she is shown telling the reporter: "£500,000 when you can, to me, open doors."
Asked if she was referring to Andrew, she said “Yeah”, then shook hands with the reporter before apparently accepting a $40,000 cash down-payment.
Last night a spokesman for Buckingham Palace said Prince Andrew “categorically” denied having any knowledge of the meeting between his former wife and the undercover reporter. The paper said that despite the prince knowing nothing about the deal, the duchess claimed to have discussed it with him, saying: “Andrew said to me ‘Tell him £500,000’. He knows that he’s had to underwrite me up to now because I’ve got no money. So if you want to meet him in your business, look after me and he’ll look after you ... you’ll get it back tenfold.” – (PA)