The whole controversy seems overdone. I don’t really see the problem in taking a commission for an introduction. An introduction only gets you in the front door, they would still have to make their case to get the contracts.
Fergie was totally screwed by the royal family in the divorce. Her alimony was based on Andrew’s navy Lieutenant’s pay, not his share of one of the world’s largest family fortunes. They made her a Duchess but without the wherewithal. This seems a reasonable enough substitute compensation plan.
She made twice as much as Diana did through Weight Watchers. Diana was banned from commercial activities and left with a lump sum of seventeen million, Fergie made twice as much as that. She’s made thousands more through books, endorsements, and other misc.
She’s blown it all and has kept messing up her life. She could have gotten a job, plus she’s been living rent free with her ex-husband. With a solid salary, she could have kept the fifteen thousand a year as pocket money and she even admitted to living off of her daughter’s income from their trust funds left to them by the Queen Mother.
Even as a royal Duchess she marketed herself to make money.