Media Talks Charles Foundation secretly received BRL 6.2 million from Osama bin Laden’s family 07/31/2022 07:08

Image of Prince Charles shaken by successive crises

While the newspaper notes that donations are not disclosed and are not included in the foundation’s public documents because British institutions are not required to identify supporters, there is no claim that donations are illegal.

But the third episode, which in less than a year reveals Charles’ connections to political or business leaders from countries known for their disrespect for human rights – and in this case, the terrorist responsible for the attacks that killed thousands of people, the name is associated with – is a shock to his life. public image.

According to the survey institute YouGov, Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth’s successor ranks only 7th among the most positively imaged members of the British monarchy, liked by 42% of respondents, while 24% say they dislike her.

Disclosures about donations are perceived as a failure of Prince Charles’ decision, leaving the royals to explain themselves and to see the actions of one of their most important members come under scrutiny.

While the monarchy’s “motto” in reacting to negative news is “don’t complain, explain”, such situations require a public stance.

Prince Charles reportedly met with donors

Brothers Bakr and Shafic bin Laden run the business of one of the wealthiest families in Saudi Arabia. They are the half-brothers of Osama bin Laden on his paternal side, the now deceased Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden.

The family has always publicly condemned the actions of the founder of al-Qaeda, and there was no doubt that he was helping him in any way.

But the Bin Laden name is a toxic brand, and that may be why the Prince Foundation hasn’t expressed massive support, as it often does when it receives large donations.

According to The Sunday Times, Charles would handle the donation himself during a meeting with the half-brother of Bakr Bin Laden, the founder of al-Qaeda, at his official residence, Clarence House, on October 30, 2013.

The meeting took place two years after Osama was killed by US soldiers in Pakistan.

The Clarence House press office denied any personal involvement with The Times.

But the newspaper assures that Charles will not only know, but be advised by his aides not to accept the donation or return the money.

According to the report, one of them said that “if the news got out to the media it would cause a nationwide outrage,” which took longer and eventually came true.

Another would have told the prince that his reputation would be severely damaged if his name was included in the same sentence as the terrorist responsible for the murder of 67 Britons, as well as thousands of Americans, on 9/11. It was wise advice.

Prince Charles’ advisers tried to stave off the crisis, saying there was no recommendation to refuse or return the donation.

And it assures that the decision was taken by the trustees of the foundation who approved the operation.

“The due diligence was conducted with information requested from a wide variety of sources, including the government. The decision to accept the donation was made entirely by the board of trustees. “Any attempt to suggest otherwise is misleading and wrong,” said Clarence House.

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The Prince Charles Foundation is a Crisis Powerhouse

The Prince of Wales Charitable Fund was established in 1979 and financially supports UK registered non-profits for projects at home and abroad.

The Sunday Times is investigating the foundation’s activities and making revelations that have sparked new crises for Prince Charles and the monarchy.

The last one was last January.

The newspaper has publicly announced that Prince Charles has received a total of 3m euros in a suitcase and shopping bags from Fortnum & Mason, a luxury food store accredited to supply its products to the royal family.

The donor was Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, one of the richest men in the world.

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While Clarence House’s advice states that all legal processes are followed, the donation is deposited immediately in banks, the cash volume has caused negative reviews due to the typical money laundering operations or unwillingness to appear.

The crisis was such that the Prince Charles foundation said it would no longer accept donations in kind.

In early July, Britain’s Charity Commission, the governing body for charities, announced that it would not launch a formal investigation and that the Prince had “no concerns” about the charity’s management, based on analysis of a report. It is sent by the .PWCF itself.

Another article, published in The Times along with bin Laden’s donation story, reveals the real ties and questions the independence of the Charity Commission, now chaired by Orlando Fraser.

Frase and the woman are figures of the British elite and have close ties to the more conservative sectors that support the maintenance of the current regime and Charles as Queen Elizabeth’s successor.

“For decades, [a Charity Commission] It hasn’t really been an effective regulator,” Stephen Bubb, director of the Charity Futures think tank and former president of the Association of Volunteer Administrators, told the newspaper.

Bubb thinks the independence of the commission has been jeopardized by the fact that the chairman and board members are appointed by the minister of culture, and its £30m annual budget comes directly from the country’s Treasury.

On the other hand, Prince Charles’ other crisis could cause more headaches.

In September, the newspaper revealed that his closest adviser had ordered the help of a Saudi tycoon to obtain royal honors and citizenship in exchange for social service donations.

The anti-monarchist group Republic has reported Charles and Michael Fawcett, its direct arm for years, to Scotland Yard, London Metropolitan Police. Fawcett has resigned, but the investigation continues.

Also Read | Anti-monarchy group denounces Prince Charles to Scotland Yard over appreciation donation scandal