Prince Michael’s workplace advised the British Press Association he had no particular relations with Putin.
London, United Kingdom:
Queen Elizabeth’s cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, has been caught providing traders entry to the Kremlin in trade for private achieve, based on a Sunday Times and Channel Four investigation.
The embarassing claims come at a time of disastrous relations between London and Moscow, notably after the 2018 poisoning of a former Russian spy in England.
Prince Michael advised undercover reporters posing as traders from South Korea in a digital assembly that for 10,000 kilos (11,500 euros) a day he might make “confidential” representations to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s entourage.
Channel 4’s Dispatches programme and the weekly newspaper arrange a faux South Korean gold firm — House of Haedong.
The prince stated he might additionally give the corporate a royal endorsement in a recorded speech for $200,000 {dollars} (164,000 euros), along with his Kensington Palace house as a backdrop.
In a recorded assembly with the undercover reporters, his enterprise accomplice Lord Reading known as the prince “Her Majesty’s unofficial ambassador to Russia”.
“I think … this is kind of slightly discreet, we’re talking relatively discreetly here,” he reportedly stated.
“Because we wouldn’t want the world to know that he is seeing Putin purely for business reasons, if you follow me.”
Reading had used an occasion at Kensington Palace in 2013, wherein the prince was a visitor, to promote entry to Putin, the investigators stated.
The occasion additionally supplied an opportunity to personally meet the Russian chief at a future date.
Prince Michael’s workplace advised the British Press Association he had no particular relations with Putin and “receives no public funding and earns his own living through a consultancy company that he has run for over 40 years.
“They final met in June 2003 and Prince Michael has had no contact with him or his workplace since then.
“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.”
Reading admitted an error. “I made a mistake and over-promised and for that, I am truly regretful,” he stated.
The 78-year-old prince was adorned with Russia’s Order of Friendship in 2009 when Putin was prime minister.
“Royals for Hire” exhibits Monday on Channel 4.
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