Editing Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (section)

===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>