Royals
Corruption allegation: close confidante of Prince Charles resigns
Prince Charles and Michael Fawcett
© Andrew Milligan / PA Wire / dpa-infocom GmbH / DPA
In return for donations, the former valet of the heir to the throne is said to have promised to support a Saudi businessman in his desire for an accolade. Now he’s gone.
One of Prince Charles’ closest confidants has resigned as head of a foundation of the heir to the throne after allegations of corruption. This was confirmed by a spokesman for the Prince’s Foundation, as the PA news agency reported on Friday.
Close confidante of Prince Charles resigns
Michael Fawcett had left office since the allegations became public in September. The prince’s residence will also no longer work with Fawcett’s company that organizes events, said a spokesman for Clarence House.
In return for donations, the former valet of the Queen’s eldest son is said to have agreed to support a Saudi businessman in his desire for an accolade and British citizenship. The Mail on Sunday newspaper published an alleged 2017 letter from Fawcett. Clarence House stressed that Prince Charles had no knowledge of the events and fully supported the investigation.
Fawcett had been in the palace’s service since 1981. In 2003 he was acquitted of allegations that he put a share in his own pocket when selling royal gifts. Nevertheless, he resigned, also because the investigation report criticized his behavior in the palace. In 2018 he was appointed Managing Director of the Prince’s Foundation.