Palace Lays Down Rules for Its Royals

Buckingham Palace has set out strict guidelines to ensure that royals keep official duties and business careers separate, a palace spokeswoman said.

The rules were drawn up after an inquiry into remarks made by Prince Edward’s wife, Sophie Rhys-Jones, who told a reporter posing as a sheik that her royal connections were useful in business dealings.

The Sunday Telegraph newspaper said the royals are told to ensure that there is no conflict of interest between official and private roles and to consult the head of the royal household, the lord chamberlain, before pursuing a business activity.