A recent statement from Prince Harry has put even more pressure on the already strained relationship between him and his father. Sources say that the Duke’s move to distance himself from Prince Charles’ ‘cash for honours’ scandal has left the future king of England ‘deeply shocked and disappointed.’
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‘Cash for honours’
Prince Charles is currently being accused of awarding Saudi businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his generous donations towards the Prince’s charity. Although the Prince is refusing to comment on the issue, his son has decided to separate himself from the controversy. On Sunday, a spokesperson of the Duke of Sussex said in a statement:
The duke and his advisers, as well as his non-profit Sentebale, severed ties with Mr Mahfouz and his associates in 2015, no longer accepting further donations to Sentebale and discontinuing any plans for a fundraising event amid growing concerns over the motives for his support.
The duke had one planned meeting with this donor nearly eight years ago, did not introduce him to any members of the royal family, and expressed his concerns about the donor.
Strained relationship
Harry’s public stance on the CBE controversy could have pushed their souring relationship to a point of no return. A friend of Prince Philip told The Sun:
Charles is deeply shocked and disappointed by Harry’s latest statement which effectively threw his father under the bus.
According to the tabloid, Prince Harry and Prince Charles last talked face-to-face during the funeral of Prince Philip—which was eight months ago. Since then, they’ve talked over the phone a handful of times, but all their conversations were reportedly filled with tension. The friend added:
These constant barbs about his father from America could be very damaging to his reign. Attempts have been made to clear the air but they have barely spoken since the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.
