Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, found herself engulfed in a major scandal over the weekend as she happened to be in Los Angeles for a fundraiser and awards banquet honoring her.

The British tabloid News of the World ensnared Ferguson in a video sting in which she offered access to her former husband, Prince Andrew, after appearing to accept $40,000 in cash and asking for another $718,500.

“I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused,” Ferguson stated over the weekend. “It is true that my financial situation is under stress. However that is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgment, and I am very sorry that this has happened.”

Ferguson was at the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood Sunday night to accept a Catherine Sheridan Award from Variety International for helping the children's charity raise money.

As paparazzi awaited her red-carpet arrival, however, she slipped in a back door. Even at LAX Ferguson was allowed to disembark before her plane even got to its gate in order to avoid the media.

Buckingham Palace denied that Andrew had any knowledge of her attempts to charge for access to him. There have been reports that Ferguson has struggled to maintain a royal lifestyle following her divorce from Andrew.

-With reporting from City News Service. Got news? Email us.

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