Michael Fawcett, Former Aide of Prince Charles, Steps Down From Position

 

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Prince Charles has once said, "I can manage without just about anyone, except for Michael Fawcett."

He now has to get used to being without him, as after four decades of moving from footman to Queen Elizabeth, to valet to the prince, to one of the closest staffers, Michael has decided to step down from his position.

He has recently resigned, temporarily at least, from his Chief Executive role of Charles's Prince's Foundation.

This comes after claims were made in a series of newspaper articles that revolved around how official honours were sought on behalf of a Saudi businessman.

Clarence House released a statement that read, "The Prince of Wales has no knowledge of the alleged offer of honours or British citizenship on the basis of donation to his charities and fully supports the investigation now underway by The Prince's Foundation."

Chair of the Prince's Foundation, Douglas Connell confirmed Michael's resignation.

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"Michael Fawcett offered to step down temporarily from active duties as Chief Executive of The Prince's Foundation while the Trustees' investigation is ongoing. The Prince's Foundation has accepted this offer. Michael fully supports the ongoing investigation and has confirmed that he will assist the investigation in every way."

There have also been allegations surrounding Michael helping support a campaign for official honours for Saudi businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz. 

A letter from Michael to an aide to Mahfouz in 2018 read, "In light of the ongoing and most recent generosity of His Excellency...I am happy to confirm to you, in confidence, that we are willing and happy to support and contribute to the application for Citizenship."

"I can further confirm that we are willing to make an application to increase His Excellency's honour from Honorary CBE to that of KBE in accordance with Her Majesty's Honours Committee."

It has been reported that Mahfouz denies any wrongdoing and has been a generous donor to two of Prince Charles' pet projects.

A statement was released by a spokesperson for The Prince's Foundation that read, "The Prince's Foundation takes very seriously the allegations that have recently been brought to its attention and the matter is currently under investigation."

"The scope of The Prince's Foundation investigation has been extended to cover this weekend's newspaper reports." An independent review was underway by an external Senior Forensic Accountant.

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The Foundations runs separately to Clarence House.

Honours, from CBEs and OBEs to knighthoods, are bestowed after recommendations from an honours committee by the Queen.

Charles gave Mahfouz the CBE during a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 2016.