Retired Doctor Defrauded in Royal-Linked Investment Scam
When retired dermatologist Dr Robin Russell-Jones encountered Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia at the Royal Society of Arts in London, he had little reason to doubt her credibility. The 66-year-old princess, a cousin of King Charles and descendant of Queen Victoria through both parents, appeared trustworthy alongside her business partner, Sharon Rea.
The Fateful Investment Proposal
In April 2024, Dr Russell-Jones met the pair at the RSA, where they expressed interest in joining the institution. Shortly after, Ms Rea extended an invitation for the retired doctor to invest £50,000 in what she described as a time-sensitive business proposal. She assured him that with intergovernmental involvement and backing from the International Monetary Fund, his investment would multiply into an astonishing £4 million.
Dr Russell-Jones, a climate campaigner from Marlow in Buckinghamshire, eagerly transferred the funds, overriding his bank's warnings about potential fraud. The scheme was presented as part of a series of charitable concerts called Tsunami of Sound, allegedly organized to raise awareness for global warming and other causes, with claims of contact with Warner Bros for recordings.
The Unraveling of a Sham Enterprise
Instead of lucrative returns, every penny of Dr Russell-Jones's investment vanished. Investigations revealed Ms Rea's business empire as a complete sham. Rather than operating from a corporate headquarters, her listed address was a council house in Swansea, south-west Wales.
Princess Katarina's business partnership with Ms Rea dates back at least five years, when the princess assisted in launching New Way Networking International. The company claimed to be building four hospitals in Pakistan with additional operations in America and Kenya, promoting itself as "carbon-positive" and boosting human rights. However, NWN International has since faded into obscurity with no functional website or evidence of hospital construction.
Royal Connections and Controversial Background
Princess Katarina descends from the former Yugoslav royal family. Her grandfather, King Alexander I, was assassinated in 1934, and her uncle, King Peter II, fled to British exile during World War II before being deposed by communist leader Josip Tito in 1945. Her grandmother was Prince Philip's elder sister, and she was born and raised in London.
After divorcing barrister Sir Desmond de Silva in 2010—who reportedly declared her "insufficiently intelligent for him"—Katarina stirred controversy by conducting "royal" etiquette classes with a former Buckingham Palace butler, allegedly displeasing Queen Elizabeth II.
Legal Action and Minimal Repayment
Dr Russell-Jones grew suspicious when Ms Rea's daughter's fiancé requested £3,000 for brain surgery, prompting him to question the legitimacy of the investment. His concerns deepened when Princess Katarina failed to respond to his text message asking if Ms Rea could be trusted.
The retired doctor launched a civil claim against Ms Rea, securing a judgment of £55,742 including costs and interest last year after she failed to respond to the legal proceedings. However, with Ms Rea surviving on benefits, she has offered repayment at just £100 per month—a proposal Dr Russell-Jones has rejected as insufficient.
"Now I'm £50,000 out of pocket, with no sign of getting it back," Dr Russell-Jones lamented. "And there has never been a single Tsunami of Sound concert."
Denials and Unanswered Questions
Speaking from her home, Ms Rea maintained she is repaying Dr Russell-Jones but denied committing fraud. Princess Katarina, who owns a flat in Earl's Court, west London, has not responded to requests for comment.
A friend of the princess suggested Katarina may have been deceived herself, stating: "I met Sharon, and fear now she was a scammer and that the princess was taken in."
The case remains ongoing as Dr Russell-Jones pursues more substantial repayment terms, highlighting the vulnerabilities even experienced professionals face against sophisticated fraudulent schemes leveraging royal connections and grandiose promises.
