Regal v illegal?

For the Saudi billionaire, it was a dream come true. Here he was in Buckingham Palace, being awarded a covetedGreatly desired or envied. It originates from the Latin cupiditas, meaning eagerness or ambition.  decoration by the heir to the throne. His future as an influential figure lionised by the British Establishment was assured - and all for less than £2m! No wonder he was smiling.

Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz received his Honorary CBE in 2016. But it was only two days ago that The Mail on Sunday revealed the story behind it.

As a result Michael Fawcett, one of Prince Charles's closest aides, has stepped down as head of the Prince's FoundationA group of charities set up by Prince Charles.. Norman Baker, a former Liberal Democrat minister, is asking the police to investigate, since selling an honour is a criminal offence.

The story begins 10 years ago, when bin Mahfouz set out to acquire British residency. He paid the chairman of Burke's PeerageA directory of aristocratic British families., William Botrick, for advice.

Botrick encouraged him to seek influence with the highest people in the land. In particular, he was able to put bin Mahfouz in touch with Michael Fawcett, who had risen from the position of valetA servant who looks after a man's clothes. to become Prince Charles's right-hand man. Fawcett is even reported to have squeezed toothpaste onto the prince's toothbrush when he injured his arm.

Early in 2015, Prince Charles had a private meeting with bin Mahfouz. The businessman went on to donate large sums to two of the prince's favourite projects, Dumfries HouseA stately home in Ayrshire which the prince has restored and made a training centre for local people. and the Castle of MeyA castle in Caithness which was restored by the prince's grandmother and is now open to the public..

A leaked email from Botrick claims than an Honorary OBEThe Order of the British Empire, a lesser honour than a CBE. was "promised to MBM to get the £1.5 million he paid for Dumfries and Mey".  It also refers to Fawcett needing "to keep his side of the bargain". Botrick insists that the prince was "100%" behind the offer.

It is not the first time the prince's relationship with donors has been a cause for concern. Other contributors to his charities have included Cem Uzan, a Turkish businessman convicted of fraud, and Kenneth Lay, the founder of EnronA giant American energy company which collapsed in 2001 and was found to have engaged in systematic fraud..  

The scandal could hardly come at a worse time for the Royal Family. The misdeeds of Jeffrey EpsteinHe was a financier arrested in July 2019 on charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking. He was denied bail ahead of his trail and died while in jail. His death has been officially ruled a suicide by the New York City medical examiner, though a pathologist hired by Epstein's brother claims it may have been a murder., in which Prince Andrew has been implicated, will soon be in the spotlight again with the upcoming trial of Ghislaine MaxwellThe youngest child of publishing tycoon and fraudster Robert Maxwell. She moved to the US after her father's death in 1991 and became a close associate of the financier and subsequently convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.. The fallout from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's departure for America continues to be felt. And the Queen, of course, no longer has her beloved husband to support her.

The Saudi connection is particularly toxic with the 20^th anniversary of 9/11A series of terrorist attacks that took place in the USA on 11 September 2001. It is known as 9/11 as Americans write the month first, and then the date. The attacks killed 2,996 people. Many of them died when two planes were hijacked and hit the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, causing them to collapse. falling on Saturday

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For critics of the British monarchy, this is just one more example of how the institution helps to cement privilege, elitism, snobbery and corruption in society. Even some of its supporters believe it would be better if Prince William inherited the throne instead of a 72-year-old who seems out of touch with modern life.

It could be that the next decade will see a Republic of Great Britain emerge. Buckingham Palace could become a wedding venue, and a popular figure elected president: perhaps Simon Cowell, Adele or Nigel Farage.

Is Prince Charles fit to be king?

Some say, no. It is completely unacceptable in this day and age that people should be able to buy influence, yet Prince Charles seems happy to hobnob with anyone who is prepared to sign a large enough cheque. And his choice of advisers is appalling: Fawcett has had to step down twice before, after accusations of bullying and of selling gifts the prince did not want, yet retains his trust.   

Others argue that he may sometimes show poor judgement, but he is a well-meaning, visionary man who would make a truly enlightened monarch. He has done amazing work to promote environmental awareness, preserve traditional skills and provide training for young people. It is not as if he has kept the money elicited from foreign donors - even his critics acknowledge that it has gone to good causes.