An undercover operation jointly conducted by the Sunday Times and Channel 4 revealed that Prince Michael of Kent, Queen Elizabeth’s first cousin, was willing to use his position in the royal family to endorse businesses to Russian Premier Vladimir Putin, with whom he was reported to have a close relationship. Two reporters posing to be investors from South Korea and owners of a fake gold company called House of Haedong conducted the investigation.
The reporters filmed a Zoom meeting, wherein his business partner, Simon Isaacs, the Marquess of Reading, said that Prince Michael was “Her Majesty’s unofficial ambassador to Russia” and could be hired for $200,000 to record a video endorsing the undercover reporters’ fake business. He further said that the Prince would charge around $70,000 for a five-day trip to Russia. He added that he could speak to Putin about House of Haedong, and he would in turn find the “right person” in South Korea to invest in the company.
In the video, which the reporters covertly recorded, the marquess said that the discussion had to be kept entirely “confidential”. However, following the virtual meeting, he wrote to the reporters saying that he might have “over-promised” and that the Prince’s advisors would have to confirm the details of the arrangement before they were finalised. However, the report has forced several critics, including Labour Member of Parliament and Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey to question whether Prince Michael should retain his Honorary post in the British Army as a senior colonel of the King’s Royal Hussars.
In response, Prince Michael has denied all allegations made in the report. A statement released by his spokesperson said that the marquess has “made suggestions which Prince Michael would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfil”. Further, the release said, “As is standard practice, Prince Michael’s private secretary made it clear to the company’s representatives during their conversations that nothing could proceed without the agreement of the British Embassy and the help of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce, of which Prince Michael is patron.” Moreover, his office also denied the claims made in the article, adding that he did not have a “special relationship” with Putin and that they had not been in touch for over 18 years. Furthermore, Isaacs responded to the reports admitting that he has made a “mistake and over-promised”.
Prince Michael is not a working member of the British Royal Family and is not a recipient of public money. However, he has often represented Queen Elizabeth at state funerals in several countries, including India and Cyprus. According to the Royal Family’s website, he, along with the Princess of Kent, participate in over 200 engagements every year. Moreover, the biography published on his website says that Prince Michael, owing to his Russian heritage, “has always had a strong emotional attachment to Russia.” He is also a Patron of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce and has closely worked with charities and humanitarian organisations in the country. He was awarded the Order of Friendship from President Medvedev in 2009 for his success in enhancing Anglo-Russo relations.