Prince Charles probed for handing Saudi billionaire UK citizenship in exchange for donations
The Prince Charles Foundation may have given a Saudi billionaire Knighthood and citizenship in exchange for a generous donation, breaching laws.
The Metropolitan police in London have launched an investigation into claims that a Saudi billionaire has been offered a UK citizenship and knighthood in exchange for donations into the Prince Charles' foundation.
This comes just one day after Prince Charles' brother, Prince Andrew has reached a settlement with Epstein scandal victim Virginia Giuffre for sexually assaulting her when she was 17.
The Met will be quizzing Charles as a witness in a cash-for-honors investigation launched by Scotland Yard, according to the Mirror. According to a close source, Charles will be willing to respond to the Met over the case.
"There has been no request for help from the police so far, but if he is asked to help, he will of course do so", the source stated.
The investigation has been launched under the possibility that the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 has been breached - a law that criminalizes selling peerages and honors.
The statement by the Met police included that the decision to investigate also comes after a letter sent in September 2021 related to media reports that alleged that "offers of help were made to secure honors and citizenship for a Saudi national".
"Officers liaised with The Prince's Foundation about the findings of an independent investigation into fundraising practices. The foundation provided a number of relevant documents. These were reviewed alongside existing information. The assessment determined an investigation will commence. There have been no arrests or interviews under caution", the statement said.
A spokesperson for Clarence House said that the Prince of Wales "had no knowledge of the alleged offer of honors or British citizenship on the basis of donation to his charities."
In October 2021, Michael Fawcett, the CEO of the Prince Charles' Foundation, resigned when claims arose that he had promised to help a Saudi donor, Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, obtain a Commander of the Order of the British Empire award and UK citizenship.
The foundation revealed that Fawcett would assist with Scotland Yard's investigation. However, in 2021, the foundation called for an independent probe into the claims, which found that Fawcett worked with "fixers" to get Mahfouz his honors.
Mahfouz donated some $2 million for restoration projects.
Saudis get British honorary titles, Prince Andrew loses them
Before sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre won her case against Prince Andrew, Charles' brother, the royal family expressed embarassment over Andrew's pedophilic urges and sex offense.
Last month, Andrew was stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages while the New York lawsuit was still pending.
This happened just hours after a letter from more than 150 veterans of the UK's armed forces called on the Queen to strip her son of all his titles and ranks in the armed forces.
Andrew was a close friend of Epstein's.