Topline
A source close to Prince Charles told several outlets Wednesday the future king “would not” accept suitcases filled with money for his charity anymore, after it was revealed he received several bags of cash donations from the former Qatari prime minister from 2011 to 2015.
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to the Kigali … [+]
Key Facts
A senior palace aide said this “would not happen again” and similar situations have not happened “in more than half a decade.”
The source said the heir to the throne “operates on advice” and situations and contexts “change over the years.”
The money was “immediately” passed to Charles’ charity, the Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund, the source said, and it was that organization that chose to accept the cash donations.
Crucial Quote
“That was then, this is now, and they are not the same,” the aide said.
Key Background
The Sunday Times Of London reported over the weekend that Charles and his advisors accepted 3 million euro total, or over $3.1 million, in cash from Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani. The donations were delivered once in a suitcase, once in a holdall bag and once in bags from department store Fortnum & Mason. The Sunday Times did not allege anything illegal was done with the donations and Clarence House, Charles’ office, said “all the correct processes were followed.” However, Charles has still faced criticism over the act, with the U.K.’s Charity Commission saying it would review the situation to see if an investigation is necessary, though there are no rules against accepting cash donations, according to the BBC. The donations revelation comes as the Metropolitan Police said in February it was investigating another one of Charles’ organizations, the Prince’s Foundation, into allegations it was part of a cash-for-honors scheme.
Further Reading
Princess Diana’s Wedding Tiara Goes On Display For Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/06/29/prince-charles-reportedly-will-not-accept-bags-of-cash-again-amid-charity-scandal/