Duchess of York in tabloid sting over finances

The 'News of the World', which has carried out a sting operation, claims to have filmed 50-year-old Sarah Ferguson on Tuesday night taking a US dollars 40,000 cash downpayment from its undercover reporter.

According to the tabloid, unknown to the Prince, the Duchess, who believed she was dealing with a rich businessman, promised to introduce him to Andrew who she claimed would help fix lucrative deals, and she demanded a cut of all profits.

It claims the Duchess said: "Look after me and he'll look after you. You'll get it back tenfold. I can open any door you want." Andrew said to me, 'Tell him 500,000 pounds'.

"He knows that he's had to underwrite me up to now because I've got no money. So if you want to meet him in your business, look after me and he'll look after you... you'll get it back tenfold."

The Duchess of York is the former wife of the Duke of York and mother to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, two of the Queen's eight grandchildren.

The Duchess has retained a good relationship with the Duke of York, whom she married in 1986. At times, the couple, who separated in 1992 and divorced four years later, have even lived under the same roof, leading to speculation they might marry one another again.

Neither Prince Andrew nor the Duchess has reacted on the tabloid report.