Edward Wessex: Ardent Pursuer of the House of Windsor

Edward Wessex has certainly been taking a beating in the Press lately and rightly so for it was his company, Ardent Productions, who was the first and only media to break the 'gentlemen's agreement' between the Palace and the young princes, William and Harry. On Saturday, September 22nd, Prince William, assisted by his father, Prince Charles, kept up their end of the bargain by allowing members of the press follow them around Scotland. Great photographs and sound bites were taken of the student prince as he shadowed his father on a day of royal duties, which included a stop at Sighthill, a Glasgow neighborhood with a large population of asylum seekers. A highlight of the tour was a stop at the senior center where Prince William reportedly signed a 61 year old residents address book and then asked, "Would you like my phone number?" The following day photographers and journalist feasted on the photo ops and quoted answers to the standard questions graciously offered by Prince William upon his arrival at St. Andrews University where he will be studying Art History. Everyone packed up Sunday night to leave the Prince to peacefully pursue his studies - everyone that is except the freelance film crew of Ardent Productions, Edward Wessex's company.

Apparently, the University asked them to leave on Monday and they claimed they were there making a tourist film about Fife. Then the stories and allegations began to fly. According to some stories, the crew claimed to have permission from St. James Palace. Then it was reported that Ardent told St. James Palace they had received permission from St. Andrews. On Wednesday, September 26th they were ordered off the University's property. The following day it was reported that the crew had tried to bribe a group of students with take out food and according the Sunday People plying them with wine. They then asked them to pretend it was the future and imagine what they would be saying about the way in which Prince William had adapted to life at St. Andrews. One of the students claimed that the photographers received a call from Edward during the meal. "Eddie said there would probably be a bit of fuss in the papers but there was nothing to worry about," claimed one.

Friday the Mirror ran stories of Charles reaming Edward and calling him many un-royal like names. The Sun ran an article titled "The Weasel of Wessex" in which they outline the series of lies they claim the Earl and Ardent had been telling. The Times was a bit more civil with an article titled "Prince Charles tells Edward to Apologize". The tabloids were having what was described as a 'feeding frenzy' at the expense of the Edward who has not always shown them respect. Andrew Neil, Rector of St. Andrews, stated, "We knew when we were doing that, that somebody would break it as some stage. But for it to be broken by a company owned by his own uncle . . . well, you just couldn't make it up." Indeed!

Under pressure from all sides about its apparent disregard of the gentlemen's agreement Ardent released a statement, which read in part, "It unreservedly apologises if the activity of the production team has put those agreed arrangements in doubt." Mr. Neil's response? "Both students and staff are worried about the half-hearted tone and grudging nature of the apology - and the fact that it did not come from Edward," he said. "The apology is described as unreserved, but it's not unreserved at all - it's grudging."

Just when it looks likes things couldn't get any worse, enter the self proclaimed PR maven, Sophie Wessex. Sophie's intervention, according to the grapevine, has caused further humiliation for her husband and his family. It is reported that she attempted to order Ardent Producer Paul Watson to apologize during a heated discussion claiming, "You have to understand bigger things are at issue here. Edward, after all, is a member of the Royal Family." She also attempted to exonerate her husband by claiming Prince Charles' reaction to the 'harmless' tape was 'over the top'. One article claimed that HM has advised her 'gaffe prone' daughter-in-law to keep quiet. 

On October 1st Ardent Productions turned the tapes over to the Palace. The following day Edward Wessex undertook his first official engagement since the scandal. It was reported that he allowed a select group of journalists follow him. When Jennie Bond, BBC News, asked him a question, which was phrased with the utmost political correctness, "Are you going to make any more TV programmes?" An agitate Prince Edward replied, "I'm not saying anything more. There's no point." Then all the press was asked to leave. "We were all physically removed. We were shoved," claimed journalist Sarah Chaundler.

Well, it has been another week of negative publicity for the House of Windsor. It upsets me for several reasons. First and foremost, it is almost the Queens Golden Jubilee. When is some member of her family going to think about her? Obviously Edward thinks about his career before he thinks about his duty to the crown. His wife is the same. In April of this year a News of the World sting caught Sophie when a reporter, pretending to be a sheik looking to do business with her PR Company, filmed her and her partner, Murray Harkin, speaking about Sophie's royal connections. Sophie 'stepped down' from her position only to buy out her partner and assume a larger (though not so public) role two months later. Her partner claimed he was used as a scapegoat. After Sophie's trying to get the producer to take the blame for Edward's recent faux pas, it seems like a more plausible story. Here is the couple that the Queen pays handsomely to perform royal duties taking advantage of their connections. It's very sad.

It's also sad that they expect full support from the Palace for their exploitation of their royal status. It's sad that the press is now blaming the Queen for not putting her foot down in April. It's sad to think that James Whitaker's statements in April regarding Sophie's only regret being getting caught no longer seem as cynical as they did at the time. It's sad to think that Prince William was used by his uncle as a means to an end - the sale of Ardent's cable series. It's sad to think that with everything going on in the world, when most of us are staying close to our family's that Edward's appears disconnected from his and from the real world. It's sad to think that in a time where morale and community service are more important than ever, that Edward and Sophie can't channel their ambitions into fulfilling a positive role in the name of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Let's hope the lessons that escaped the Wessex's in April will sink in now and they'll devote themselves to making the Golden Jubilee the most wonderful celebration yet!

Looking forward to hearing from you. ;-)

All the best,