Queen's cousin accused of using royal status to 'sell access' to Putin

9 May 2021, 10:59 | Updated: 9 May 2021, 11:57

Prince Michael accused of using royal status to ‘sell access’ to Vladimir Putin

Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

Prince Michael of Kent has been accused of being willing to use his royal status for personal profit and to seek favours from Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The Queen's cousin was the subject of a covert investigation by Channel 4 and the Sunday Times in which he told undercover reporters he could be hired for £10,000 a day to make "confidential" representations to Mr Putin's regime.

Reporters posing as investors from South Korea spoke to Prince Michael in a virtual meeting.

They had set up a fake South Korean gold company called House of Haedong and approached five members of the royal family with an offer of a role.

Prince Michael responded showing interest in working with the fictitious firm, telling the covert reporters he would give the company his royal endorsement in a recorded speech for a $200,000 fee.

He also said he would be willing to use his home in Kensington Palace as a backdrop for the video.

Read more: Queen tells Northern Ireland 'reconciliation cannot be taken for granted'

Read more: Royal security alert after intruders break into Queen's Windsor estate

Prince Michael of Kent was allegedly willing to use his royal status to sell access to Putin
Prince Michael of Kent was allegedly willing to use his royal status to sell access to Putin. Picture: PA
Prince Michael's office said he has no special relationship with Vladimir Putin
Prince Michael's office said he has no special relationship with Vladimir Putin. Picture: PA

The Queen's cousin does not receive money from the civil list - a list of people to whom money is paid by the government - and earns a living acting as chairman of his own private company, which offers consultancy advice.

Michael was also approached about a role in assisting the phoney gold company in Russia.

The investigation said the prince's business partner Lord Simon Reading had used an event at Kensington Palace in 2013, in which Prince Michael was a guest, to sell access to Mr Putin.

Channel 4's Dispatches found the occasion - which promoted the Russian wrestling sport of Sambo - also offered opportunities to personally meet the Russian leader at a later date.

In a recorded meeting with the undercover reporters, Lord Reading said: "If he (Prince Michael) is representing the House of Haedong, he could mention that to Putin and Putin would find the right person who is interested in South Korea or interested in gold.

Read more: Queen gets back to work after death of Prince Philip

Read more: Queen marks 95th birthday after death of Duke of Edinburgh

The Queen's cousin Prince Michael has denied the allegations
The Queen's cousin Prince Michael has denied the allegations. Picture: PA

"It just opens the door, you know, which is so helpful."

He added: "I think, if I can say this, this is kind of slightly discreet, we're talking relatively discreetly here.

"Because we wouldn't want the world to know that he is seeing Putin purely for business reasons, if you follow me."

Lord Reading went on to describe Prince Michael as "Her Majesty's unofficial ambassador to Russia", and that tension between the UK and the Russian regime has not affected his relationship with Mr Putin.

Responding to the programme, Prince Michael's office said: "Prince Michael receives no public funding and earns his own living through a consultancy company that he has run for over 40 years.

"Prince Michael has no special relationship with President Putin. They last met in June 2003 and Prince Michael has had no contact with him or his office since then.

Prince Michael of Kent's office said he hasn't spoken with Putin since 2003
Prince Michael of Kent's office said he hasn't spoken with Putin since 2003. Picture: PA

"Lord Reading is a good friend who, in trying to help, made suggestions which Prince Michael would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfil."

Lord Reading said: "I thought the approach from the House of Haedong was genuine and I was only trying to facilitate an introduction to my friend Prince Michael.

"I made a mistake and over-promised and for that, I am truly regretful. I wasn't at my peak as I was recovering from a kidney transplant.

"For the record, the Sambo event, which was eight years ago, was my event and Prince Michael was simply my guest along with many other people."

Channel 4's Dispatches: Royals for Hire, will be broadcast at 7:30pm on Monday.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Survey Indicates Scotland Have Different Views On Migration From Rest Of UK

Dodgy advisers posing illegally as immigration lawyers to face fresh crackdown under new bill

Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn: Fatal Fury - Fight Night

Chris Eubank Jr wins middleweight bout against Conor Benn

Police are at the scene of a "serious incident" near where the Otley Run pub crawl takes place in Leeds

Counter terror police take over investigation into 'serious incident' in Leeds after firearm and crossbow recovered

Ryan Reynolds co-owner of Wrexham celebrates the opening goal with wife Blake Lively

Wrexham promoted to Championship as Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively celebrate in stands

The reality TV star and campaigner, 30, has reportedly been dating Mr Stacey for less than a year

Love Island star Georgia Harrison announces she is expecting first child with partner Jack Stacey

Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring a goal in the FA Cup semi final

Crystal Palace secure place in FA Cup final for third time after 3-0 victory over Aston Villa

Valerie the dachshund disappeared during a camping trip back in 2023

Miracle in the outback: Joy as mini dachshund found safe and well after spending 529 days alone in Australian wilderness

Palestinians inspect the damage after an Israeli army airstrike in Gaza City on Saturday

Ten dead - including children - after Israeli air strike flattens three-storey home in Gaza

Police remain in the area

Three injured after 'serious incident' in Leeds after 'man with weapons' arrested near popular pub crawl route

a british police car

Horror as 'human remains' found in wooded area in popular seaside town, with police 'searching abandoned caravan'

Protesters from Just Stop Oil take part in what it claims will be their last direct action protest outside Downing Street, central London. Picture date: Saturday April 26, 2025.

Car 'drives slowly into Just Stop Oil protesters' blocking central London road on 'final march'

Celtic players celebrate victory in the William Hill Premiership following the William Hill Premiership match at Tannadice Park, Dundee. Picture date: Saturday April 26, 2025.

Celtic win Scottish Premiership in style with 5-0 Dundee thrashing

A new tourist tax will hit a UK city.

Major UK city will soon charge 'tourist tax' for overnight stays

Philip Lowrie has died

Original Coronation Street star Philip Lowrie dies aged 88

German ambassador Miguel Berger

EU youth mobility scheme is 'no-brainer', German ambassador to UK tells LBC

rowds during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City

Hundreds of thousands gather for Pope's funeral, as mourners reminded of Francis' call to 'build bridges, not walls'