Royals get new rules on business interests

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, July 7, 2001

Associated Press

LONDON — Buckingham Palace on Saturday warned Britain’s royals to avoid conflicts of interest in their private businesses — a response to accusations that Prince Edward’s wife improperly used her royal influence in her public relations firm.

In guidelines issued Saturday, the palace said that by being active in business, "a member of the royal family is helping to generate economic activity, showing skill and enterprise and supporting himself or herself financially."

But, the palace added, "members of the royal family will always be open to accusations of exploiting their royal status and it will never be possible to prevent entrapment, subterfuge, innuendo or unfair allegations."

The new guidelines, approved by Queen Elizabeth II and other senior royals, call on family members to watch for possible conflicts. New business activities should be approved by the Lord Chamberlain, the official responsible for overseeing the conduct of the royal household.

Their businesses should appoint watchdogs "with specific responsibilities to avoid problems of allegations of exploitation of royal status," the palace said.

The guidelines are the result of a formal review launched after Prince Edward’s wife was accused of exploiting her royal status while working as a public relations executive.

The Countess of Wessex, formerly Sophie Rhys-Jones, ignited a tabloid frenzy in April after making indiscreet remarks about her royal relatives and Prime Minister Tony Blair to a journalist posing as a potential client.

Most damaging were suggestions by the countess and her business partner that public relations clients would benefit from the royal connection.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.