New claims have emerged regarding the conduct of a former senior royal during his time as a United Kingdom trade envoy. A recently published biography alleges a pattern of behavior that misused the official role for personal indulgence, funded by public money.
According to the book, the individual is accused of transforming state-funded business trips into private holidays, consistently appending weeks of “private time” to official itineraries. The author contends that during these periods, the envoy engaged in activities wholly unrelated to his diplomatic duties.
Specific incidents cited include an alleged stay at a luxury hotel in Hong Kong, where the floor was reportedly hired for a weekend of personal entertainment. Further claims describe a trip to Thailand two decades ago, involving similar alleged personal excesses over several days.
The biography also suggests the envoy’s financial dealings abroad warrant scrutiny. It references a notable property sale in the UK to a foreign businessman shortly after a trip to that individual’s home country, a transaction reported at the time to be significantly above market value. Another allegation describes the receipt of a substantial cash payment during a visit to a Central Asian nation.
The author posits that any future legal jeopardy for the former envoy is more likely to stem from these alleged financial irregularities rather than other, previously reported associations. The book further implies that the individual’s former spouse may also face questions over charitable fundraising activities.
These latest allegations are said to have exacerbated tensions within the royal family. Insiders suggest the monarch and the heir to the throne have expressed profound frustration, viewing the continuous controversy as damaging to the institution. The former envoy was reportedly instructed that maintaining his current status while such claims persist is untenable.
The biographer indicates that more revelations may follow, as individuals formerly associated with the ex-royal are now reportedly more willing to come forward with information.
