Queen’s cousin caught in royal scandal
The royal family has been hit with another scandal after the Queen’s cousin was accused of selling access to the Kremlin.
A joint undercover investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 reportedly caught Prince Michael of Kent admitting he was willing to use his royal status for personal gain.
The sting involved reporters posing as investors of a fake South Korean gold company who approached Prince Michael seeking contacts in the Kremlin to further its business in Russia.
Though the investigation is yet to be aired, clips were posted on Channel 4’s Twitter account that revealed snippets from the recorded conversations.
He said he was willing to accept $200,000 from our fake company in return for making the speech. #RoyalForHire
3/ pic.twitter.com/qODD4Wta5e— Channel 4 Dispatches (@C4Dispatches) May 8, 2021
In the clips, Prince Michael allegedly told the journalists by Zoom that he would record a speech giving their company his royal endorsement for a fee of $US 200,000 ($254,000).
The 78-year-old royal also said he was happy to use his home in Kensington Palace as a backdrop for the endorsement.
The royal’s business partner, Simon Reading, reportedly said the prince could be hired for 10,000 pounds ($17,800) a day to make “confidential” discussions with Mr Putin on behalf of the fictitious gold firm.
“If [Prince Michael] is representing the House of Haedong, he could mention that to Putin and Putin would find the right person who is interested in South Korea or interested in gold,” Mr Reading told the undercover reporters.
“It just opens the door, you know, which is so helpful.”
He also described Prince Michael as “Her Majesty’s unofficial ambassador to Russia”.
Royal response
Prince Michael, who is tied to Russia through grandmother and speaks Russian, has since issued a statement.
According to the royal’s office, Prince Michael “has no special relationship with President Putin” and that he “has not had contact with him or his office” since they last met in 2003.
Since Prince Michael isn’t a working royal and doesn’t receive public funds, his office also pointed out he “earns his living through a consultancy company that he has run for over 40 years.”
“Lord Reading is a good friend, who in trying to help made suggestions which Prince Michael would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfil,” his office continued.
Mr Reading said he regretted his “over-promise” in trying to facilitate an introduction to Michael.
He told reporters, “I made a mistake and over-promised, and for that I am truly regretful.”