The Buckingham Palace enquiry into potential conflicts of interest between business activities and public duties of the royal family has not yet been concluded, but the Countess of Wessex has returned to work.
The enquiry was launched after Sophie and her partner, Murray Harkin, were embarrassed by comments they made to a bogus sheikh while attempting to drum up business for their public relations company R-JH. Following the revelations, the Countess stepped down from her position as company chairman.
She has, however, recently bought out her former partner’s 40 per cent share, making her the agency’s sole owner, and is now to be found in the office on most days while continuing to pitch for new accounts. Sophie has now appointed herself company secretary, but R-JH acting chief executive, John Cassidy, was at pains to clarify her role, saying: “It is true that Sophie is now the sole owner, but I am in charge. Not her.”
Although she was originally told to quit her job by the Queen, the fact that Sophie has now resumed her habit of staying at Buckingham Palace on the days when she is working in London suggests that the monarch upholds the Countess’ decision.
Since the scandal broke, R-JH has lost 14 of the 21 clients it had a year ago, and sources in the industry have indicated that Sophie’s involvement is key to any eventual sale of the four-year-old business.
Business is not Sophie’s only worry these days. The candy-striped jacket and skirt she wore to Ascot sent fashion writers into a frenzy of activity which has apparently spurred her into seeking advice on her sartorial image. She has turned to the man behind Princess Diana’s wedding dress, David Emanuel, for help with her look.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
