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The Duchess of York's daughter, Princess Beatrice, is to join the Financial Times website as part of a work experience placement. 

A royal source confirmed to MediaGuardian.co.uk that the princess, who is fifth in line to the throne, will be joining the financial title in London for work experience.

The 19-year-old is understood to be lined up to write for Alphaville, the FT's fast-paced financial news and analysis blog.
It is also understood that Princess Beatrice will contribute to the FT's quarterly glossy magazine How to Spend It, which targets "affluent men and women of distinguished tastes".
Another source said the princess may also contribute to the title's fashion coverage.

The placement follows an unpaid stint at the London department store Selfridges, where Princess Beatrice worked for a month as a personal shopper for VIP customers.

Today's revelation follows a public spat between the Duchess of York and Allison Pearson after the Daily Mail columnist described her as "a pampered Miss Piggy" and criticised her figure.

During a press launch for her ITV1 programme The Duchess in Hull last month, Sarah Ferguson said Pearson had refused to return her phone calls.

"She criticised my daughter. Big mistake. Beatrice is a healthy size 10, a fabulous girl and completely with heart," she added.

"She's suffered with special needs at school since the age of seven with dyslexia. So much so, she's combated it to get an A* in history to go to university."