The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, has apologised for her “serious lack of judgement” after a tabloid on Sunday accused her of allegedly offering to sell access to her former husband Prince Andrew for £500,000.
“I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused,” the 50-year-old duchess said in a statement to the British media. “It is true that my financial situation is under stress. However, that is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgment and I am very sorry that this has happened.”
Prince Andrew, 50, is Britain’s special representative for international trade and investment since 2001. However, his position as a roving business ambassador is an unpaid one.
Buckingham Palace on Monday denied that Prince Andrew, Duke of York, knew anything about the meeting between his former wife and the undercover reporter. “The Duke of York categorically denies any knowledge of any meeting or conversation between the Duchess of York and the News of the World journalist. Since 2001 he has carried out his role of Special Representative with complete and absolute propriety and integrity,” the palace said in a statement.
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew divorced in 1996 after a decade of marriage. Their two daughters, Princesses Beatrice, 21, and Eugenie, 20, are fifth and sixth in line respectively to the British throne.
She also reiterated that her former husband was unaware of the issue. “I can confirm that the Duke of York was not aware or involved in any of the discussions that occurred. I am sincerely sorry for my actions,” she said.