The King held a farewell audience with his former most trusted aide Michael Fawcett at Windsor Castle, according to reports. Fawcett, who resigned as chief executive of The King's Foundation in 2021 over cash-for-honours allegations, met with the monarch several months ago in what was described as a standard courtesy goodbye for departing senior staff.
The Mail on Sunday reported that Fawcett was 'welcomed back into the King's charmed circle once again' and smuggled in and out of the royal apartments in a 'military-style operation'. However, a Palace source said such meetings are routine and can be delayed due to diary pressures, circumstances or ill health.
Fawcett began his career as a Buckingham Palace footman and became Charles's most indispensable aide, with the prince once saying: 'I can manage without just about anyone, except for Michael.' He resigned twice before, including in 2003 when he was accused and cleared of selling royal gifts but was found to have accepted valuable gifts from outsiders.
The Metropolitan Police investigated the cash-for-honours scandal involving Fawcett and a Saudi billionaire donor but took no further action in 2023. An independent inquiry in 2021 found Fawcett coordinated with 'fixers' over honours nominations for the donor.
In January this year, a Scottish charity regulator inquiry found Fawcett exposed The King's Foundation to 'substantial risk' over uninsured high-value paintings, but his actions did not amount to misconduct.
