Police end cash for honours investigation into King Charles III’s charity

The Metropolitan Police has closed its investigation into cash for honours allegations levelled at the Prince’s Foundation, which was set up in 1986 by King Charles when he was Prince of Wales.

The investigation was launched in 2021 by the Met’s special enquiry team (SET) amid accusations that donations had been used to influence the royal.

The Police added that during its probe a man aged in his 50s and another man in his 40s were interviewed under caution at a London police station.

But in a statement issued this week the police said that the investigation has concluded and no further action will be taken.

During its probe the Metropolitan Police liaised with the charity, which provided “a number of relevant documents which were reviewed alongside existing information”.

The investigation also included witness statements and reviewing “in excess of 200 documents”. In addition, media reporting on the case were contacted, when the police confirmed that an investigation was taking place last year.

Police added that during its probe a man aged in his 50s and another man in his 40s were interviewed under caution at a London police station.

Offences under the 2010 Bribery Act were also considered.

“With the benefit of the CPS’s early investigative advice, and after careful consideration of the information received as a result of the investigation to date, the Met has concluded that no further action will be taken in this matter,” confirmed the Metropolitan Police.

“Should any new information or evidence come to light that requires further assessment, this will be carried out by the Met’s SET.”

The police added: “Nobody has been arrested or charged during the course of this investigation.”

In December 2021 an independent investigation into the scandal found evidence that former Prince’s Foundation chief executive Michael Fawcett coordinated with “fixers regarding honorary nominations for a donor”.

Prince’s Foundation chair Douglas Connell stepped down in the summer of 2021 and former royal valet Fawcett, quit in November, after temporarily stepping down.

A spokesperson for The Prince's Foundation said: "The Prince’s Foundation has noted the decision of the Metropolitan Police. Following the conclusion of its own independent investigation and governance review last year, the charity is moving forward with a continued focus on delivering the education and training programmes for which it has been established."

When he became King Charles III last year the monarch pledged to step back from his charitable work. This move had been recommended by constitutional academics who cited concerns around the cash for honours scandal at the Prince’s Foundation.