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From:
Subject: Sophie Dutchess of Wessex and Royal Scandal
Date: Tue, 8 May 2001 09:29:23 EDT


Hello,

I occasionally receive a Royalty newsletter. It seems that the media is out
for blood (Sophie's that is) This is a new one:

"Sophie's uncle considered sex reassignment surgery

Sophie Wessex's uncle says he has thought about becoming a woman.

Thane Bettany, an actor, told the News of the World he could not afford the
£10,000 operation and was too old to have it on the NHS.

Thane, the stepbrother of Sophie's father Christopher Rhys-Jones, attended
her wedding to Prince Edward at Windsor Castle in 1999.

He is also Sophie's godfather.

The former ballet dancer told the News of the World: "It's an idea I have
played about with and it went through my mind. In fantasies I've thought it
would be much easier to have a relationship. But £10,000 is a lot of money."

Thane, 71, lives with partner Andy Little, 75, at Cupar in Fife. He was
married, but divorced in 1993.

A royal aide told the News of the World: "Sophie was aware her uncle was gay
and had absolutely no problem with that. She is open-minded but his wish to
turn into a woman has shocked the family to say the least.

"Her uncle is a great man, and close to the family, one of fewer than three
dozen to be invited to appear in her wedding photographs. I am sure they
will support him."

Not that it matters to me, but are they grabbing every skelton they can find?
Where are these things printed? In legitimate or "pulp" news?

Maggie Sypniewski


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