The Duchess of York telephoned the New York Times to deny "vicious rumours" that Queen Elizabeth considered her a suicide risk. She also denied that the queen was discussing settling her debts reported to exceed £4 million in exchange for the Duke being given custody of the couple's two daughters.
The call was made as the duchess prepared to go to London's Royal Albert Hall for a surprise appearance as a presenter at the National Television Awards on Tuesday night.
The duchess told the paper. "I am the grown up mother of two healthy children. Why on earth would I ever contemplate suicide? The idea of suicide never has and never will come into my head."
Asked if she might live outside Britain as part of a rumoured settlement with Buckingham Palace, she told the New York Times "I don't know yet."
