Queen's Cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, Accused of Selling Access to Russian President Vladimir Putin
According to an investigative report from the Sunday Times, Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, Michael of Kent, allegedly tried to sell access to Vladimir Putin.
- Prince Michael of Kent, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, has been accused of offering to sell access to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
- The allegations stem from a report by the Sunday Times of London, published after two undercover journalists posing as executives from a South Korean company recorded Prince Michael's friend and business associate Simon Isaacs, the Marquess of Reading, seemingly promising the royal could provide access to the Russian leader for a fee.
- Prince Michael denies the claims. "Prince Michael has no special relationship with President Putin," a spokesperson for the royal said in a statement. "They last met in 2003 and he has had no contact with him or his office since then. Lord Reading is a good friend, who made suggestions which Prince Michael would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfill."
Prince Michael of Kent, one of Queen Elizabeth II's first cousins, has been accused of offering to sell access to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
A Sunday Times of London and Channel 4 report alleges that Simon Isaacs (whose title is the Marquess of Reading), a friend and business associate of the 78-year-old royal, appeared to suggest that Prince Michael could promise access to Putin during a Zoom call with two undercover journalists posing as executives from a fake South Korean company. While Prince Michael had been on the call initially, the alleged promises made by Isaac came after the royal had left the Zoom meeting.
During the call, Isaacs described Michael as "Her Majesty's unofficial ambassador to Russia" and warned that the royal's involvement in facilitating access to Putin would be "confidential," according to a report from BBC News.
"We're talking relatively discreetly here because we wouldn't want the world to know that he is seeing Putin purely for business reasons," Isaacs said, according to the BBC report. He also reportedly estimated that Prince Michael could charge clients around £50,000 for a five-day trip to Russia. What's more, according to the investigation, Michael allegedly offered to film a speech endorsing the company, using his home at Kensington Palace as the backdrop, for a reported $200,000 fee.
In a statement to CNN, a spokesperson for Prince Michael vehemently denied the claims, saying, "Prince Michael has no special relationship with President Putin. They last met in 2003 and he has had no contact with him or his office since then. Lord Reading is a good friend, who made suggestions which Prince Michael would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfill."
According to BBC News, Isaac said he had made a mistake and "over-promised" during the meeting and that he was "truly regretful."
On Sunday, royal reporter Omid Scobie tweeted about the situation, explaining that the Palace has yet to comment on the scandal.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
"Though not officially a working member of the family, Prince Michael does carry out over 100 public duties and engagements a year, some of which include representing the Queen," Scobie added.
No word from the Palace yet regarding Prince Michael of Kent allegedly selling access to the Kremlin. Though not officially a working member of the family, Prince Michael does carry out over 100 public duties and engagements a year, some of which include representing the Queen.May 9, 2021
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Meghan Markle "Fears" Being "Heckled" If She Returns to U.K.
"The last thing she needs is the stress of going back."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Jenny Is Back on the Block—and Carrying a Birkin
The singer returned to New York City with a loud luxury outfit to match.
By India Roby Published
-
Serena Williams's Post-Retirement Style Pivot Is Complete
The tennis star's fashion era is taking a turn.
By Julia Gray Published
-
Royals, Paul McCartney, Nicola Coughlan, Salma Hayek... Was Taylor Swift's London Eras Tour Her Most Star-Studded Yet?
Imagine all the people........
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Kate Middleton Confirms She Will Attend Trooping the Colour in a Heartfelt Update on Her Cancer Treatment
"I am making good progress."
By Halie LeSavage Last updated
-
British Royal Lady Gabriella Windsor's Husband Has Died at 45
Lady Gabriella is King Charles' second cousin.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
George, Charlotte and Louis Will Be Laden With Gifts as Prince William Returns From New York
He was handed so many souvenirs for the little ones.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Makes Sure to "Treat George and Charlotte as Equals," Body Language Expert Says
I should hope so!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Isn't "A Workaholic Like His Father," Royal Expert Claims
He's got more of a work-life balance.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Kate's New "Signature" Gesture? The Stealthy "Bum Pat" to Prince William
Love this for her.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry Says His "Spirit Is Renewed" as He Attends the Warrior Games for Wounded Service Members in San Diego
The Games inspired his Invictus concept.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published