LONDON ( Associated Press) – Prince Charles has said he has done nothing illegal by accepting bags full of cash from a Qatari politician as a charitable donation.
The Sunday Times reported that former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani gave 3 million euros ($3.2 million) in cash to Prince Charles in private meetings between 2011 and 2011. On one occasion, it was reportedly in a suitcase and on another, in a bag from London’s Fortnum and Mason stores.
The newspaper said that this money has been deposited in the accounts of Prince Charitable Foundation. He did not indicate that there was any illegality.
Charles’ office, then known as Clarence House, said in a statement that the donation “has been passed on to one of the Prince’s charities, who has provided all necessary documents and has assured us that all are correct.” Procedures were followed.”
Prince’s charity told the newspaper that it “verified that the donor was a legitimate and verified entity … and our auditors confirmed the donation after specific checks during the audit. There was no lack of supervision.”
The Qatari government’s information department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
When he was Prime Minister of Qatar from 2007 to 2013, Hamad oversaw the Qatari Sovereign Wealth Fund, which owns properties around the world, including London’s Shard, Heathrow Airport and Harrods Department Store.
London police are currently investigating a separate claim that another charity linked to the prince helped a Saudi billionaire gain British citizenship and British honors in exchange for donations. Clarence House has said that Prince Charles is unaware of the proposal.
