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Prince Charles
Photo: POOL / REUTERS
The descriptions sound like something out of a mafia film: Prince Charles from Qatar received donations in the millions in cash and bags – some from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani himself.
After the British "Sunday Times" first reported on the transactions, the British heir to the throne felt compelled to make a statement - and denies wrongdoing.
"Charitable donations made by Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim were immediately forwarded to one of the Prince's charities, which carried out the appropriate management," Charles's residence, Clarence House, told CNN.
The organizations assured that the correct procedures had been followed.
According to the Sunday Times report, Charles received three donations totaling three million euros from the desert state between 2011 and 2015.
In one case, one million euros are said to have been handed over in cash.
The money was therefore stuffed into shopping bags from a London luxury department store.
It is said to have later flowed to Charles' Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund (PWCF), which is responsible, among other things, for the administration of royal estates in Scotland.
Even if, according to media reports, there is no doubt that the donations have been processed lawfully, a commission is to investigate the processes again, according to the "Sun".
Charles could also be questioned.
According to the Guardian, the British royal family's guidelines do not specify accepting cash donations.
Members of the royal family could therefore accept money on behalf of a foundation.
For the Prince of Wales, however, the report is sensitive.
Not the first questionable money transfers
Charles came under criticism only last year after the media publicized questionable processes in accepting donations from Russian and Saudi Arabian donors.
Accordingly, Charles wanted to accept a larger donation from the Russian banker Dmitri Leus, who was convicted of money laundering allegations.
However, an ethics committee at one of his foundations withdrew an initial payment of £100,000 after an audit.
As a result, the head of Prince Charles' charity also resigned.
When it comes to the donations from Qatar, which were handed over in bags, observers are particularly bothered by the way the money was handed over.
According to the "Guardian", the Republic organization, which advocates the abolition of the monarchy and an elected head of state, is calling for a full investigation into the process and also pointed to the sheikh's questionable human rights record.
fec/AP