As Scotland Yard launches an inquiry into Prince Charles’ charity, The Prince’s Foundation – specifically allegations that the organization’s former chief executive, Michael Fawcett, promised knighthood and British citizenship to a Saudi billionaire in exchange for donations to the Foundation – Prince Harry could be interviewed by the police as the case is investigated, The Daily Mail reports.
As far back as 2015, the Duke of Sussex expressed concern over the billionaire and severed ties with Mahfouz Marei Mubarek bin Mahfouz a year before Charles presented him with CBE honors, the outlet reports.
As the Metropolitan Police investigates, “their detectives could choose to question him [Harry] over what his concerns were, and who he told in 2015,” The Mirror reports.
Harry, according to The Daily Mail, met Mahfouz twice, the first time in 2013. The two discussed Harry’s charity Sentebale, established in 2006 to help people in Lesotho and Botswana affected by AIDS. Then, in 2014 – after Charles had also met Mahfouz – Harry and the billionaire met again. In February 2013, Mahfouz donated 50,000 pounds to Sentebale, and later that year donated 10,000 pounds to Walking with the Wounded, another charity of which Harry was patron.
“The Duke had one planned meeting with this donor eight years ago, did not introduce him to any members of the Royal Family, and expressed his concerns about the donor,” a spokesman for Harry said, as reported by The Daily Mail. Reportedly, those concerns were over the businessman’s motives.
“Prince Charles presented Mr. Mahfouz with his CBE in 2016,” said royal commentator Peter Hunt before the police investigation was announced. “Did Prince Harry tell him about his concerns in 2015? Just one of the many questions the Metropolitan Police could ask father and son if they choose to investigate.”
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.
Now that an investigation has been launched, Charles is likely to be questioned about what he knew about claims against Fawcett – and Harry could be called in for questioning, as well.
“The fact Harry dropped this guy [Mahfouz] should have been a red light for Charles, but clearly he ignored that and drove straight through,” said ex-Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, according to The Daily Mail.
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
This Week's Best On-Sale Picks Include a Tory Burch Bag and Pretty Silver Ballet Flats
Warm weather is finally here—it's time to dress like it.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
A Sporty It-Sneaker Era Is About to Begin
Nike's next Air models are designed for Olympic athletes, but they'll soon be all over street style.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
These Luxury Beauty Gifts Are Proven to Make Mom Feel Spoiled on Mother’s Day
The best in makeup, haircare, and skincare for your favorite woman.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
Prince Harry Has Changed His Official Residence to the U.S.
Don't make it mean more than it does, k?
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Diana Revealed to a Royal Author the Real Reason Why Her Marriage to Prince Charles Ended Not Long Before She Died in 1997
And no, it apparently wasn’t Camilla Parker-Bowles.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle Thinks Prince Harry Is "Making a Big Mistake" in Wanting to Reach Out to William, Kate: Source
She's worried he'll get hurt again.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry "Loves Being a Dad" to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, According to His Longtime Friend
Parenthood suits the Duke of Sussex.
By Meghan De Maria Published
-
Princess Diana Told Queen Elizabeth Through Tears That Her Then-Husband Prince Charles Was “A Nightmare” and That She “Hated” Him, Royal Author Claims
Ingrid Seward’s new book examines the relationship between mother and son, Her late Majesty and her heir, Charles.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
King Charles “Desperately” Wants the Sussexes to Join Him at Balmoral This Summer
The castle in the Scottish Highlands, independent of a potential Sussex visit, is undergoing a major change starting this summer.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Officially Announce Two New Netflix Series, Both In the “Early Stages” of Production
One show focuses on one of Meghan’s primary hobbies, while the other goes behind the curtain of one of Harry’s foremost passions.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Princess Diana Would Be "Absolutely Distraught" Over the State of Prince William and Prince Harry's Relationship, Expert Claims
She wanted them to have each other's backs.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published