Editing Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (section)

==Privacy and the media==

===Violation of privacy===
In May 1999, less than a month before her wedding, ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'' published a photo of a topless Sophie with her Capital Radio colleague [[Chris Tarrant]], which was taken during a business trip to Spain in 1988.<ref name="Photo-Criticism">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/353644.stm|title=Sun apologises in royal picture row|publisher=BBC|date=26 May 1999|access-date=5 February 2017|archive-date=6 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206025008/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/353644.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Photo-Criticism2">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/353896.stm|title=Sun says 'sorry, Sophie'|publisher=BBC|date=27 May 1999|access-date=5 February 2017|archive-date=6 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206023903/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/353896.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Guardian-Critics">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/may/26/1|title=Sun apologises to 'devastated' Sophie Rhys-Jones|newspaper=The Guardian|date=26 May 1999|access-date=5 February 2017|archive-date=18 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118045740/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/may/26/1|url-status=live}}</ref> Buckingham Palace immediately issued a statement saying, "This morning's story in ''The Sun'' is a gross invasion of privacy and cannot be regarded as in the public interest. It has caused considerable distress."<ref name="Photo-Criticism"/><ref name="Guardian-Critics"/> Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] also condemned the publication of the photograph.<ref name="Photo-Criticism"/><ref name="Photo-Criticism2"/> The Palace made an official complaint to the [[Press Complaints Commission]] (PCC).<ref name="Photo-Criticism"/><ref name="Photo-Criticism2"/> According to Sophie's business partner the incident had left her "distressed", and she was reportedly "devastated" and felt "she was 'letting the side down' before her wedding".<ref name="Photo-Criticism"/><ref name="Guardian-Critics"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/9545281/Duchess-of-Cambridge-receives-support-from-Countess-of-Wessex-in-topless-pictures-row.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/9545281/Duchess-of-Cambridge-receives-support-from-Countess-of-Wessex-in-topless-pictures-row.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Duchess of Cambridge receives support from Countess of Wessex in topless pictures row|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=16 September 2012|access-date=5 February 2017|first=Richard|last=Eden}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Tarrant later said, "There was never, ever the slightest hint of romance between Sophie and myself, let alone these snidey insinuations."<ref name="Photo-Criticism"/> Following its publication, the newspaper issued a statement and apologised to Rhys-Jones<ref name="Photo-Criticism"/> and the next issue came out with the headline "Sorry, Sophie".<ref name="Photo-Criticism2"/> It also said that it would again apologise to Sophie in a letter and donate all sale proceeds of the issue to her charities.<ref name="Photo-Criticism2"/><ref name="Photo-Criticism3">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/359041.stm|title=Tabloid rapped over topless Sophie photo|publisher=BBC|date=2 June 1999|access-date=5 February 2017|archive-date=6 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206022714/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/359041.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The photo was sold to the tabloid by Kara Noble, a former friend and colleague of Sophie.<ref name="Photo-Criticism"/><ref name="Photo-Criticism2"/> Noble later apologised in the following months saying, "I just want to say sorry to everyone who was involved."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/682763.stm|title=Noble sorry for Sophie snap|publisher=BBC|date=19 March 2000|access-date=5 February 2017|archive-date=6 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206024618/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/682763.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Both she and the newspaper faced criticism from the public,<ref name="Photo-Criticism"/> and Noble was fired from her job at [[Heart 106.2 FM]].<ref name="Guardian-Critics"/> The couple later decided not to make a formal complaint.<ref name="Photo-Criticism3"/>

In 2011, close associates of [[Jonathan Rees]], a private investigator connected to the [[News International phone hacking scandal|''News International'' phone hacking scandal]], stated that he had penetrated Sophie and Edward's bank accounts and sold details about them to the ''[[Sunday Mirror]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Davies|first=Nick|title=Phone-hacking scandal widens to include Kate Middleton and Tony Blair|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jun/08/phone-hacking-kate-middleton-tony-blair|access-date=19 December 2022|newspaper=The Guardian|date=8 June 2011|archive-date=13 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813141238/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jun/08/phone-hacking-kate-middleton-tony-blair|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Media sting===
In April 2001, Sophie appeared in the media after she was misled in a meeting at [[the Dorchester]] by a ''[[News of the World]]'' reporter posing as an Arab sheikh, [[Mazher Mahmood]],<ref name="BBC-criticism">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1255645.stm|title=Palace denies reports of Sophie insults|work=BBC|date=2 April 2001|access-date=7 January 2017|archive-date=15 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115215845/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1255645.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Independent-criticism">{{Cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/the-fake-sheikh-and-his-greatest-hits-310570.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/the-fake-sheikh-and-his-greatest-hits-310570.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | work=The Independent | location=London | title=The fake sheikh and his greatest hits | date=6 September 2005 | access-date=7 January 2017}}</ref> who was later exposed for [[perjury]] in [[Southwark Crown Court]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-28403821|title=Tulisa Contostavlos drugs trial collapses|publisher=BBC|date=21 July 2014|access-date=2 January 2016|archive-date=22 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722193831/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-28403821|url-status=live}}</ref> It was claimed by the newspapers that during their "secretly taped" conversation, the Countess had insulted the royal family and politicians, calling the Queen "old dear" and criticising the leadership of prime ministers [[John Major]] and [[Tony Blair]] and [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]] [[Gordon Brown]].<ref name="BBC-criticism"/><ref name="Independent-criticism"/><ref name="Guardian-Tapes">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/apr/08/uk.news|title=Word by word, Sophie digs herself deeper into trouble|newspaper=The Guardian|date=8 April 2001|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-date=18 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118044322/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/apr/08/uk.news|url-status=live}}</ref> She also reportedly commented on Prince Charles's relationship with his then-partner [[Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla]], arguing that a marriage would not be possible as long as the Queen Mother was alive.<ref name="Guardian-Tapes"/> However, despite some initial reports, the paper acquitted her of referring to [[Cherie Blair]] as "absolutely horrid" and mocking [[Leader of the Opposition (United Kingdom)|Leader of the Opposition]] [[William Hague]]'s appearance.<ref name="ITimes-Apr2001">{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/sophie-quits-pr-firm-amid-new-tape-revelations-1.299668|title=Sophie quits PR firm amid new tape revelations|newspaper=The Irish Times|first=Frank|last=Millar|date=9 April 2001|access-date=7 April 2022|archive-date=20 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172650/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/sophie-quits-pr-firm-amid-new-tape-revelations-1.299668|url-status=live}}</ref> Murray Harkin, Sophie's business partner who was also present at the meeting, was recorded discussing his sex life and cocaine use and boasting about Sophie's abilities in securing celebrities for various events.<ref name="ITimes-Apr2001"/> [[Tabloid newspaper]]s claimed the Countess had sent apology letters to Blair, Hague and Prince Charles.<ref name="BBC-criticism"/>

Buckingham Palace denied the accuracy of the reports, saying: "The Countess of Wessex, who is trying to pursue her own career, is obviously vulnerable to set-ups such as this."<ref name="BBC-criticism"/> The Palace released a statement saying the reported comments were "selective, distorted and in several cases, flatly untrue".<ref name="BBC-criticism"/> The Palace officials stated that Sophie had not insulted the Queen, the Queen Mother, or the politicians, while according to the ''Mail on Sunday'' four reliable sources had confirmed these reports.<ref name="BBC-criticism"/> The ''News of the World'' attributed the negative reactions to the jealousy of the rival media, as the outlet had previously conducted an interview with Sophie in which she addressed the rumours about her difficulties in marriage and discussed her husband's sexuality.<ref name="BBC-criticism"/> Sophie had reportedly agreed to the intimate interview on the condition that the newspaper would not publish transcript of the tapes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1266468.stm|title=Explosive headlines for Sophie|work=BBC News|date=8 April 2001|access-date=5 December 2022|archive-date=26 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226054249/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1266468.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/bh/1266723.stm|title=Sophie scandal continues|work=BBC|date=8 April 2001|access-date=5 December 2022|archive-date=6 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206014041/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/bh/1266723.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In a separate statement Sophie said she was "distressed by the carrying out of an entrapment operation" on her, but also regretted her "own misjudgment in succumbing to that subterfuge".<ref name="ITimes-Apr2001"/> Subsequently, in 2002, both the Earl and Countess announced that they would quit their business interests in order to focus on activities and official engagements on behalf of the royal family and aid the Queen in [[Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II|her Golden Jubilee]] year.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1850847.stm | work=BBC News | title=Sophie and Edward quit business roles | date=2 March 2002 | access-date=31 December 2011 | archive-date=23 December 2002 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021223032339/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1850847.stm | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Jewellery gifts===
The Countess of Wessex was criticised for accepting two sets of jewels from the [[Al Khalifa family|royal family]] of Bahrain during an official day-long<ref name="BBC 7.1.2012">{{cite news | author=Staff writer | title=Countess of Wessex's Bahrain jewel gift criticised | date=7 January 2012 | publisher=BBC | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16452634 | access-date=9 January 2012 | authorlink=Staff writer | archive-date=7 January 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107192337/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16452634 | url-status=live }}</ref> visit to the country in December 2011, as she and her husband returned to the UK from a trip to Afghanistan. She was given one set by [[Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa|Bahrain's king]] and a second set by the country's prime minister, Sheikh [[Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa]]. Her husband, the Earl, received a pen and a watch as well as a silk rug from the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Sheikh [[Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa]], who also gave Sophie a silver and pearl cup. The value of the jewellery has not been estimated and its precise contents were not disclosed.<ref name="Tele 6.1.2012">{{cite news | first=Andy | last=Bloxham | title=Countess of Wessex criticised for accepting jewels from Bahrain | date=6 January 2012 | work=The Telegraph | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/8999280/Countess-of-Wessex-criticised-for-accepting-jewels-from-Bahrain.html | access-date=9 January 2012 | url-access=subscription | location=London | archive-date=9 January 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109033216/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/8999280/Countess-of-Wessex-criticised-for-accepting-jewels-from-Bahrain.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Given concern about human rights abuses in Bahrain, this gift attracted controversy, with calls for the jewels to be sold, and the proceeds used for the benefit of the [[Economy of Bahrain|Bahraini people]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/8999872/How-a-routine-royal-visit-spelt-trouble-for-the-Countess-of-Wessex.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/8999872/How-a-routine-royal-visit-spelt-trouble-for-the-Countess-of-Wessex.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | location=London | work=The Telegraph | first=Patrick | last=Sawer | title=How a routine royal visit spelt trouble for the Countess of Wessex | date=8 January 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Critics said the Countess should sell the gems and give the proceeds to [[Bahraini protests of 2011|political protesters]] in Bahrain. [[Denis MacShane]], then a [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) and previously a Foreign Office minister, said: "Given the appalling suffering and repression of the Bahraini people, it would be a fitting gesture for the Countess of Wessex to auction these trinkets and distribute the proceeds to the victims of the regime."<ref name="Tele 6.1.2012"/>

Royal family guidelines and procedures relating to gifts, published by the government in 2003, state that "before accepting any gift, careful consideration should always be given, wherever practicable, to the donor, the reason for and occasion of the gift and the nature of the gift itself&nbsp;... Equally, before declining the offer of a gift, careful consideration should be given to any offence that might be caused by such action."<ref name="BBC 7.1.2012"/>