Princess Beatrice Helps Set Record in London Marathon

Billionaire pal Jeffrey Epstein paid off about $25K of Sarah Ferguson's debts

(NEWSER) - Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein may have escaped sex trafficking charges over his tendency to hire underage hookers, but one of his many high-profile buddies may not be able to sidestep trouble. Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, will likely see his job responsibilities cut now that news has come out that Epstein paid off part of a debt owed by Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. Sources say the duke could be forced out of his trade ambassador position entirely thanks to his 16-year friendship with Epstein, which included a visit to the Florida mansion where Epstein met with underage girls. More»

Disgraced duchess opens up to Oprah

(NEWSER) - Sarah Ferguson had been drinking before she discussed selling access to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew , with an undercover tabloid reporter, the Duchess of York tells Oprah in an interview scheduled to air tomorrow. And she says she hasn't watched the now-ubiquitous video, People reports . "I haven't faced the devil in the face because I was in the gutter at that moment," Ferguson says. "So I'm aware of the fact that I've been drinking, you know, that I was not in my right place." More»

Duchess denies report she's on the brink

(AP) - Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, says she is doing everything she can to avoid declaring bankruptcy over business debts. The former wife of Prince Andrew said in a statement today that she has paid off all her personal debts. The statement was issued in a response to a front-page report in the Sunday Telegraph citing unidentified royal sources discussing the dire state of her finances. More»

She chose friendship with Queen over divorce settlement

(NEWSER) - When Sarah Ferguson got caught trying to sell access to ex-hubby Prince Andrew, it was only because she’s apparently broke. In a follow-up piece, News of the World charts Fergie’s path to destitution:

• Her divorce settlement is just $21,000 a year: “That's why the Queen is my friend. I believed it was right never to ask Andrew for anything because it wasn't his money, it was the Queen's. The lawyers said, 'Go to court with the Queen' and I won't because she's a wonderful lady."

'Judgment lapse' triggered by financial 'stress'

(NEWSER) - Mortified Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson is so "very sorry" after being caught accepting money in exchange for promised access to ex-husband Prince Andrew. "I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused," she said in a statement. "My financial situation is under stress. However, that is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgment." Ferguson was caught on tape accepting a $40,000 downpayment for a promised $750,000 in exchange for access to Prince Andrew. She made the deal in a sting set up by a reporter from the tabloid News of the World posing as a businessman. More»