Queen Camilla has been spotted enjoying a luxury holiday on a £30million superyacht owned by billionaire Tory donor Wafic Said, raising questions about the Royal Family's political neutrality. The King's wife was seen aboard the vessel Zenobia while cruising around Greece's most exclusive tourist destinations.
The Syrian-Saudi businessman, who has a £1.9billion fortune and ranks 85th on The Sunday Times Rich List, is a former Conservative donor. Although rules now prevent non-UK residents from donating, his wife Rosemary has given over £2million to the Tories since 2015. The couple's daughter was also involved in a proxy donation controversy in 2005, though an inquiry found no wrongdoing.
Former Lib Dem minister Norman Baker criticised the holiday, stating: 'Members of the Royal Family really ought to consider the public perception of such episodes... This is not a good look for Camilla.' The Royal Family is expected to remain strictly apolitical, and King Charles has previously spoken about reducing royal extravagance amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Queen Camilla was not joined by King Charles, who attended the Mey-Highland Games. Wafic Said, who brokered the Al Yamamah arms deal in the 1980s, was also not on board. The 57-metre vessel, named after a third-century Syrian queen, can accommodate 12 guests and 13 crew, featuring luxury interiors, a library, and a cinema room.
The Royal Family's website states that 'The Monarch remains politically neutral on all matters,' underscoring the importance of impartiality. However, critics argue that accepting hospitality from a prominent political donor undermines this principle.
