Cash worries for Sophie firm

The Earl and Countess of Wessex's firms are both facing a cash crisis, new figures show.

The countess's once successful public relations business has only £100 in the bank. Prince Edward's television production company, Ardent, owes its shareholders more than £500,000.

Sophie, 39, is a non-executive director of R-JH. She quit her hands-on role in 2001 following a sting by an undercover tabloid reporter who caught her bragging about her royal connections.

After meetings with senior palace courtiers, she and the prince decided to loosen their ties with their businesses and focus on royal duties. The difficulties

facing their firms were highlighted by figures filed at Companies House.

They show that Sophie's firm, which she founded with business partner Murray Harkin, made its first loss in 2002-3, down £5,903, compared with a profit of £52,847 in the previous 12 months. It also has an overdraft and bank loans totalling £12,237.

Ardent Productions, where Edward is still a director, recorded losses of £12,052. Overall, losses during 11 years' trading total £2,147,366, with shareholders not yet receiving a dividend due in 1997.