Duchess Of York Apologizes Over Newspaper Sting

from National Public Radio

Melissa Block talks to Kelvin MacKenzie, former editor of the British tabloid The Sun, about the newest scandal involving Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. The former wife of Prince Andrew was tricked by the News of the World tabloid into offering to sell access to her ex-husband. The exchange was captured on video, where Ferguson tells the reporter, representing himself as a wealthy tycoon, that she will put him in contact with the prince for about $750,000. Ferguson says she deeply regrets the incident, which she called "a serious lapse of judgment." MacKenzie says Ferguson is deeply in debt, estranged from other members of the royal family, but protected from being cut off entirely from them because her children are in line to the British throne.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, May 24, 2010