Queen's Cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, Accused of Selling Access to Russian President Vladimir Putin
According to an investigative report from the Sunday Times, Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, Michael of Kent, allegedly tried to sell access to Vladimir Putin.
- Prince Michael of Kent, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, has been accused of offering to sell access to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
- The allegations stem from a report by the Sunday Times of London, published after two undercover journalists posing as executives from a South Korean company recorded Prince Michael's friend and business associate Simon Isaacs, the Marquess of Reading, seemingly promising the royal could provide access to the Russian leader for a fee.
- Prince Michael denies the claims. "Prince Michael has no special relationship with President Putin," a spokesperson for the royal said in a statement. "They last met in 2003 and he has had no contact with him or his office since then. Lord Reading is a good friend, who made suggestions which Prince Michael would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfill."
Prince Michael of Kent, one of Queen Elizabeth II's first cousins, has been accused of offering to sell access to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
A Sunday Times of London and Channel 4 report alleges that Simon Isaacs (whose title is the Marquess of Reading), a friend and business associate of the 78-year-old royal, appeared to suggest that Prince Michael could promise access to Putin during a Zoom call with two undercover journalists posing as executives from a fake South Korean company. While Prince Michael had been on the call initially, the alleged promises made by Isaac came after the royal had left the Zoom meeting.
During the call, Isaacs described Michael as "Her Majesty's unofficial ambassador to Russia" and warned that the royal's involvement in facilitating access to Putin would be "confidential," according to a report from BBC News.
"We're talking relatively discreetly here because we wouldn't want the world to know that he is seeing Putin purely for business reasons," Isaacs said, according to the BBC report. He also reportedly estimated that Prince Michael could charge clients around £50,000 for a five-day trip to Russia. What's more, according to the investigation, Michael allegedly offered to film a speech endorsing the company, using his home at Kensington Palace as the backdrop, for a reported $200,000 fee.
In a statement to CNN, a spokesperson for Prince Michael vehemently denied the claims, saying, "Prince Michael has no special relationship with President Putin. They last met in 2003 and he has had no contact with him or his office since then. Lord Reading is a good friend, who made suggestions which Prince Michael would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfill."
According to BBC News, Isaac said he had made a mistake and "over-promised" during the meeting and that he was "truly regretful."
On Sunday, royal reporter Omid Scobie tweeted about the situation, explaining that the Palace has yet to comment on the scandal.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
"Though not officially a working member of the family, Prince Michael does carry out over 100 public duties and engagements a year, some of which include representing the Queen," Scobie added.
No word from the Palace yet regarding Prince Michael of Kent allegedly selling access to the Kremlin. Though not officially a working member of the family, Prince Michael does carry out over 100 public duties and engagements a year, some of which include representing the Queen.May 9, 2021
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
The Scent of the Summer Is a Little Bit Pool Water, Plus a Lot of Swimsuit Lycra
Vacation’s new body mists are coming in hot.
By Samantha Holender
-
In 'Sinners,' Music From the Past Liberates Us From the Present
In its musical moments, Ryan Coogler's vampire blockbuster makes a powerful statement about Black culture, ancestry, and art.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Kendall Jenner Has the Last Word on the Best Travel Shoes
Leave your ballet flats in your checked bag.
By Halie LeSavage
-
Queen Elizabeth Gave the Perfect Response When Pope Francis Presented Her With Priceless Gifts for Prince George
The late pope spared no expense when it came to treating the infant prince in 2014.
By Kristin Contino
-
Queen Elizabeth's Two-Ingredient Lunch Supposedly Helped Her Stay Healthy and Look Younger
The late monarch was "not a foodie," but kept her meals simple and fresh.
By Kristin Contino
-
The Witty Way Queen Elizabeth Responded When a Royal Family Member Said Corgis "Should Be Shot"
Criticizing the monarch's beloved pups was a big mistake.
By Amy Mackelden
-
The "Awkward" Royal Family Easter Rule Kate Middleton Broke in 2018 Involving Queen Elizabeth II
The Princess of Wales was pregnant with her third child—Prince Louis—at the time.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Former Royal Butler Says Donald Trump's Comments About Queen Elizabeth and King Charles Are "Perfect PR" for the Royal Family
"The royal’s PR team are not going to mind that at all."
By Kristin Contino
-
James Middleton Shares Why He Was "Breathless and Flustered" During Meeting With Queen Elizabeth
"I heard a snort of laughter and looked past the Queen to see everyone in the room stifling their giggles."
By Kristin Contino
-
Lip Reader Reveals the "Disapproving" Comment Queen Elizabeth Allegedly Made During Kate Middleton and Prince William's Wedding
She reportedly had lots of nice things to say, too.
By Amy Mackelden
-
This Unexpected Royal is Said to be Responsible for the Remarkable Shift in Queen Camilla's "Public Perception"
Charles and Camilla's story "took a defining turn" after this intervention, according to one royal expert.
By Kristin Contino