The British heir apparent, Prince Charles, is said to have accepted a total of three million euros in cash from Qatari sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani (62). The money was handed over to Charles in suitcases and bags between 2011 and 2015 and was intended for his foundation.
A million would have been stored in a suitcase and other amounts in shopping bags from a well-known luxury department store.
Payments not illegal
Prince Charles’ foundation – the Prince of Wales Charitable Fund – confirmed to The Times that the payments had been made in cash at the donor’s request. The organization supports animal welfare projects and is committed to preserving Charles’s estate in Scotland. A spokesperson emphasizes that the funds received have been forwarded directly to the foundation. They ensured the correct processing. According to the newspaper, there is no evidence that the payments could have been illegal.
However, the type of donation and transfer has been criticized. If a government like Qatar wants to make a donation to a foundation, there are other ways to do it, said Alistair Graham, who once chaired the Public Standards Committee. He described the report as “really shocking” and incomprehensible. There was initially no comment from Qatar.
Charles’ foundations were already in the news last year: there were allegations of corruption against his Prince’s Foundation at the time. The then boss, who has since resigned, is said to have promised a Saudi businessman support for his wish for a knighthood and British citizenship in exchange for donations. The royal family emphasized that Prince Charles was not aware of the events.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
