The editor of the Sun, Mr David Yelland, issued a humble apology to Prince Edward's fiancee, Ms Sophie Rhys-Jones, last night over its decision to publish a topless photograph of her which was taken more than 10 years ago.
After a day in which Ms Rhys-Jones was described as "very distressed", Buckingham Palace lodged a formal complaint with the Press Complaints Commission. The palace fiercely condemned the publication of the photograph, taken in 1988 and showing Ms Rhys-Jones's bikini being pulled up by Capital Radio DJ Chris Tarrant as an act of "premeditated cruelty" which had caused "considerable distress" to all concerned and was not in the public interest.
In his statement, Mr Yelland said no more photographs of Ms Rhys-Jones of that kind would appear in the newspaper, while an editorial published in today's edition would explain the newspaper's actions: "We clearly upset Ms Rhys-Jones. It is clear to me that we've caused her great distress. I have therefore decided to apologise to her and to the palace."
Friends and colleagues of Ms Rhys-Jones expressed disappointment that the photograph had appeared in public, insisting its existence was known to Prince Edward. The photograph was taken by Mr Tarrant's co-presenter at the time, Ms Kara Noble, who accompanied him to Malaga - where the photograph was taken - for a business trip. Ms Rhys-Jones, who was then working as a press officer for Capital Radio, also joined the trip and the photograph was taken in the back of a car in what was described by friends as an innocent, playful incident.
The first casualty of the story yesterday was Ms Noble, who was dismissed by her employers, the rival radio station Heart 106.2. The station issued a prompt statement saying it was "shocked and disappointed" that the presenter had betrayed Ms Rhys-Jones's trust. It also emerged that the station was in negotiations with Ms Noble to buy the photograph with the intention that it would never be published. The company said it did not know that Ms Noble had decided to sell the picture to the Sun.
It is understood that Ms Rhys-Jones was fearful that the photograph, and others taken before she met Prince Edward, would be published before their wedding on June 19th, but her former employer, Mr Brian MacLaurin, insisted Ms Noble had given a "personal guarantee" that she would not sell the photograph: "She has broken a personal guarantee that the photograph would not find its way into the public domain. Everyone knew the picture existed. The picture is not a surprise. Sophie told Edward about it as long as 41/2 years ago."
Colleagues said Ms Rhys-Jones was "very distressed and upset" and Downing Street also condemned the publication of the photograph, saying that although it supported the freedom of the press, "with freedom comes responsibility and it's important that when the media exercise that freedom they show judgement".