Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson is reportedly “devastated” and “regretful” that she negotiated access to her ex-husband Prince Andrew for cash in a backdoor deal on Tuesday.
Fergie was set up by a reporter who works for News of the World. He led her through a negotiation on video and offered to pay her $724,000 for an introduction to Andrew, an international British trade ambassador. He put $40,000 in a computer bag, which she picked up as he ushered her out the door at the end of their meeting.
The sting was perpetrated by undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood, who is also known as “Fake Sheik”. He has previously pretended to be a rich Gulf businessman to dupe celebrities, politicians, and even suspected criminals. He claims to have brought 234 criminals to justice with his undercover sting set-ups.
Buckingham Palace said that Prince Andrew was not aware of the meeting. They report that he carries out his trade role with “complete and absolute propriety and integrity.”
Ferguson admitted to being in financial trouble, but indicated “that is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgment and I am very sorry that this has happened. I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused.”
The 50-year-old Duchess was in Los Angeles on Sunday to receive an award for her charity work. See photos and video here.
She and Prince Andrew have two daughters, Eugenia and Beatrice.
Check out more photos and the undercover film clip below:
Photo: WENN