Why shouldn't Fergie sell access to Prince Andrew?

This article was published in The Guardian 24 May 2010

Flogging influence for cash is an ancient practice in business, and the Windsors have hardly paid for the Duchess's silence.

Fergie's in trouble again. She's reliable like that, more so than other members of the royal periphery, and a good target for a sting. When she's in the news, the news is bad news. And bad news for royalty means good news for newspapers.

As usual, she has apologised for the "embarrassment caused", referring to a "serious lapse in judgment". "I am very sorry that this has happened." As usual, the apology is a thinly veiled "foiled again, but I'll be back", her tears and regrets firmly focused on the impropriety of being caught out by the News of the World, rather than on the act in question.