If Prince Charles were a politician facing the same cash-for-honors controversy that has rocked his charity for nearly a year, his career would be gone, according to the anti-monarchy campaign organization Republic.
A fresh round of charges has been leveled against Britain's prospective king, about an honorary title he bestowed on a Conservative Party contributor who appears to have helped bail out a failed business.
Prince Charles' New Charity Scandal
It follows recent allegations that he collected $3.13 million in cash from a Qatari official, including $3.13 million crammed into a bag. There is no evidence that the monetary donations were unlawful, and they were properly put into the prince's Charitable Fund.
The previous Chief Executive of Prince Charles' organization, The Prince's Foundation, also resigned following claims that he promised a Saudi businessman assistance in obtaining a knighthood and citizenship in exchange for payments.
The prince's foundation, according to a representative at the time, takes very seriously the claims made in recent news publications and is committed to the highest ethical standards. The controversy has prompted Republic's CEO, Graham Smith, to call on UK MPs to defy a norm that forbids them from addressing the royal family, as per Newsweek via MSN.
The Charity Commission advises trustees to consider whether it appears to have any suspicious characteristics when accepting donations. It urges trustees to scrutinize how the contribution is received, whether there is any public concern about the donor or their activity, and whether any restrictions are linked to the donations.
If the panel determines that it has a further involvement in the situation, it will be the second time the Prince of Wales and his philanthropic ventures have faced concerns - and perhaps an investigation - over charitable gifts.
In February, British police started an inquiry into Charles' organization, The Prince's Foundation, following allegations that a close aide promised a Saudi mogul knighthood in exchange for $2 million in contributions. The Sunday Times' Gabriel Pogrund and Valentine Low reported in September that Michael Fawcett, one of Prince Charles' closest aides and former valet, had resigned as chief executive of The Prince's Foundation after a report accused him of impropriety.
Saudi businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz spent tens of thousands of dollars to fixers with contacts to the prince who informed him he might be awarded an honorary CBE, the highest-ranking Order of the British Empire honor for non-British residents, Insider reported.
Queen Elizabeth II's Work Load Changes
Due to chronic mobility challenges, the Queen has been missing major engagements amid Prince Charles' current spat over the pay for honor affair. However, due to health concerns, her position has been formally reduced.
The monarchy's annual report, published last week, indicated that Queen Elizabeth II's role as head of state has been changed from 13 bulleted points to a more general statement. The 96-year "must old's complete" responsibilities have also been decreased.
It's the first time in more than a decade that her job description has been formalized. It also acknowledges the long-reigning monarch's health difficulties. For months, the Queen, who lost her spouse, Prince Philip, last April, has avoided high-profile engagements while devoting more time to her family. Prince Charles formally inaugurated Britain's Parliament in May. His mother did not attend the event for the first time in over 60 years.
The Queen also missed the opening day of Royal Ascot last month owing to mobility concerns, and she was absent from a church service during her Platinum Jubilee celebration due to discomfort, although she participated in the closing procession via hologram. During the Order of the Garter event at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in June, the proud royal also utilized a cane for an official photo.
Daniela Elser, a royal specialist, wrote an op-ed for Australian news source News.com.AU last month, calling photographs of the queen visiting New South Wales Governor Margaret Beazley in the UK "nothing short of worrisome," according to The New York Post.
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