Prince Charles’s one-time closest confidant worked with “fixers” to try and secure official honors for a donor to the Prince’s Foundation, an inquiry has found.
It added that Fawcett operated under the radar of the trustees of the foundation, who were unaware of the communications at the time. The report also stated that Ernst & Young found “no evidence that employees or trustees of the Prince’s Foundation were aware of private dinners being ‘sold’ or arranged in exchange for money.”
Dame Sue Bruce, chair of the board of trustees of the Prince’s Foundation, stated that the foundation is “determined that lessons will be learned to ensure that, in future, our charity maintains the highest standards in all areas and always acts with the utmost integrity and probity.”
Prince Charles.Chris Jackson/Getty
Prince Charles with Michael Fawcett.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Friday’s report appeared to back up this claim, stating that Ernst & Young found evidence that Fawcett and another employee were involved “in directing a transfer of funds from the Saudi businessman’s Mahfouz Foundation to the Children and the Arts Foundation (CATA).”
The activity, including written correspondence, took place without “the knowledge or approval” of the foundation trustees, the report added.
Tim Rooke/Shutterstock
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The departure of Fawcett — who rose from being a footman toQueen Elizabethto Charles’s valet and ultimately to running the charity – has left the future king without the support and advice of one of his most trusted aides.
Fawcett’s private work providing party planning services, via his firm Premier Mode, to Charles’s household has also ended.
“Michael Fawcett and Premier Mode will not be providing services to us in the future,” a Clarence House spokesperson told PEOPLE in November. “We have all agreed to end these arrangements.”
source: people.com
