Prince Charles allegations plunge British royals further into crisis

The monarchy has plunged into further crisis after police launched an investigation into Prince Charles’s charity a day after his brother settled a sexual assault case.

The Queen with outgoing Defence Service secretary Rear Admiral James Macleod, far right, and incoming Defence Service secretary Major General Eldon Millar at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. Picture: AFP

The monarchy has plunged into further crisis after police launched an investigation into Prince Charles’s charity a day after his brother settled a sexual assault case.

Scotland Yard is ­investigating allegations of a cash-for-honours scandal at the Prince’s Foundation, raising the prospect that he could be interviewed as a witness, although a source said the prince had not yet been asked to help detectives.

Buckingham Palace is also facing increasing pressure to disclose how the Duke of York will fund an out-of-court settlement said to be worth millions in the claim filed against him by Virginia Giuffre. Prince Andrew also faced ridicule for a pledge to help victims of sex trafficking to show his “regret” over his association with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. ­Experts predicted that no “reputable” charity would work with him.

The developments this week threaten to overshadow a year that is supposed to be focused on the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

The Queen spoke on Wednesday of feeling frail during her first in-person meeting since a Covid scare. Standing using a walking stick during the engagement, she said: “Well, as you can see, I can’t move.”

The cash-for-honours investigation will focus on the role of ­Michael Fawcett, Charles’s former valet, who quit as chief executive of the Prince’s Foundation last year. It centres on claims a Saudi billionaire received a CBE and was promised help in getting British citizenship after donating £15m.

The Queen with Prince Charles, left, and Prince Andrew, right, during the Queen's annual birthday parade in June 2019. Picture: Getty Images

Mr Fawcett is alleged to have promised to help secure a knighthood and British citizenship for the Saudi donor, Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, 52.

Norman Baker, a former Liberal Democrat minister whose letter to the Metropolitan Police prompted the investigation, said he believed it was “inconceivable” Charles was not aware of the agreement. “I feel sorry for the Queen,” he said. “First Prince ­Andrew and now Charles. This is the most serious issue as Charles is heir to the throne.

“It is the arrogance of the royal family that they think they can get away with it.”

Prince Harry said last year that he had cut links with Mr Mahfouz in 2015 because of “concerns over his motives”.

Charles is president of the foundation but not involved with its governance. Clarence House pointed to a statement made previously: “The Prince of Wales had no knowledge of the alleged offer of honours or British citizenship on the basis of donation to his charities.” A spokesman said it had not been contacted by police but would co-operate fully with any request.

The Duke of York’s settlement of his case is said to be worth more than £10m ($18.9m). MPs, lawyers and experts called for transparency over its size and how it would be funded.

David McClure, a royal finances expert, said there was a public right to know. “I don’t think this should be a state secret,” he told the BBC.

Andrew agreed to make a “substantial donation to Ms Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights” to bring the case to a close. He has always strenuously denied Giuffre’s claims that she was forced to have sex with him when she was 17 by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

While it is understood that both sides have agreed not to discuss the amount being paid, arguments have been made that there is significant public interest in confirming where the funds are coming from. However, it is thought to be unlikely that any public money will be involved.

Prince Andrew last April. Picture: Getty Images

Mark Stephens, an international reputation lawyer, said the duke would have to give details of where the settlement money was from or risk more “reputational damage” to the royal family.

“There’s absolute uproar on social media and mainstream media with people mistakenly thinking this money has come from taxpayers’ money or the civil list,” he said.

“And I think there’s equal concern that it comes from the royal family and what they want to see is that Andrew is paying out of his own pocket, that he’s personally being financially punished here.”

Nadia Whittome, Labour MP for Nottingham East, tweeted: “This settlement isn’t some act of philanthropy – it prevents this case going to court. We must also ask, where is the money coming from?”

The Times