Sunday Times claimed recently that Prince Charles accepted a suitcase full of cash from the former prime minister of Qatar - Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani. Three lots were given to Prince Charles personally between 2011 and 2015.
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Never again
Reportedly, the cash payments were deposited into the accounts of the Prince of Wales’s charitable fund (PWCF) - a funding source for the prince's personal endeavours and Scottish rural residence. For the first time ever, Prince Charles’s senior aides have responded to the allegations. Speaking about the allegations they said:
As we said over the weekend, it was passed immediately to his charities, and it was his charities who decided to accept the money.
That is a decision for them, and they did so and as they confirmed it followed all of the right processes, the auditors looked at it.
The aides also added:
The Prince of Wales operates on advice. Situations and contexts change over the years.
For more than half a decade, with the situation as it has evolved, this has not happened - and it would not happen again. That was then, this is now, and they are not the same.
Legal transfers
Clarence House insists that all legal procedures were adhered to regarding the donations. The payments in cash were made into the accounts of the PWCF without fail. Campaign group Republic is after a full disclosure over the matter and described the event as ‘shocking.’ Meanwhile, senior palace aides went on to stress that the charity commission has not opened an investigation yet.
The charity watchdog confirmed that it was aware of the donations made and is looking into the matter. It said:
We will review the information to determine whether there is any role for the Commission in this matter.
Charities are allowed to accept donations in cash and there is no law against it.
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