Fergie 'sorry' for trying to sell access to Prince Andrew

LONDON - Sarah Ferguson, the duchess of York, said yesterday she was "very sorry" for her lapse of judgment after she was recorded apparently offering to sell access to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, in return for 500,000 pounds ($724,000).

The duchess said in a statement that she had financial problems, but "that is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgment and I am very sorry that this has happened."

"I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused," she said.

The tabloid News of the World posted video on its website that appears to show Ferguson discussing payment terms. She is heard to say "500,000 pounds when you can, to me, open doors." Asked whether she was referring to the prince, she said: "Yeah." The newspaper said Ferguson, 50, spoke to an undercover reporter posing as a businessman.

Both the newspaper and the duchess said Andrew had no knowledge of the meeting. The tabloid report is embarrassing for Ferguson, but there is no suggestion she did anything illegal.

Ferguson married Andrew, who is fourth in line to the throne, in 1986. They had two children, princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, before divorcing in 1996. Ferguson has struggled financially and has complained that her divorce settlement was stingy. - AP