Prince Edward set for series of American lectures

Dec 5, 2005, 13:22 GMT

Britain's Prince Edward will earn £50,000 for a series of American lectures on the Royal Family.

The Earl of Wessex has already given three talks to US audiences - of which ticket prices reached £90.

The prince - who was forced to scale back his commercial activities four years ago amid allegations he was cashing in on his royal status - has also attended gala receptions with tickets priced at up to £300 each.

Edward has also reputedly demanded £25,000 to give a 75-minute talk in Jacksonville, Florida, on Thursday (08.12.05).

The prince has previously been paid £17,500 to deliver a talk in aid of a good cause in Cincinnati; as well as an undisclosed amount for giving a lecture in Mississippi.

Edward was booked for his latest round of talks by leading New York speakers bureau, Greater Talent Network, where agent Debbie Green confirmed she was "helping to co-ordinate the prince's paid speaking engagements" but refused to discuss the size of his fee.

However, another source said American organisations have been flooding the agency with offers for his services, adding: "We've had bids as high as £35,000, but £25,000 is his standard fee."

Buckingham Palace has defended the prince's decision to charge such substantial fees - insisting all payments from the lectures would be going to Edward's charity The Wessex Youth Trust.

The palace could not confirm whether the money was being paid directly to Edward, or through his agent.

A palace spokeswoman said: "It's perfectly legal. If the charities didn't get the Earl of Wessex, they'd have to pay another speaker - and that speaker might not donate their money to charity. It's all absolutely within the guidelines."

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