London - Buckingham Palace set out strict guidelines yesterday to rein in royal family members who exploit their status to engage in lucrative business activities, a palace spokeswoman said.
The rules, meant to ensure royals keep official duties and business careers separate, sprang from an inquiry into embarrassing remarks made by Prince Edward's wife, Ms Sophie Rhys-Jones, who fell victim to a newspaper sting in April.
But the guidelines, agreed by Queen Elizabeth and other members of the royal family, have disappointed some by not banning royals from engaging in business careers.