Scandal Duchess braves awards event

Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson leaves the Renaissance Hotel in LA after receiving her award (AP)
12 April 2012

The Duchess of York has put on a brave face 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 World filmed 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 Sunday night's event in Los Angeles, the Duchess ducked through a side entrance to the star-studded awards ceremony which was organised by children's charity Variety International.

But 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.

In a statement, 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.

She added: "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 World website 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 US dollar (£27,600) cash down-payment.

The Duchess was filmed explaining how the Prince meets "the most amazing people" in his role as special representative, but insisted he "is completely whiter than white". In a separate statement, a spokesman for Buckingham Palace said Andrew "categorically" denied having any knowledge of the meeting between his ex-wife and the undercover reporter.

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