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Prince William’s Earthshot Prize is facing scrutiny after its founding partner was linked to Jeffrey Epstein in the latest Department of Justice files release. However, one expert says it’s “a bit of a stretch” to suggest the Prince of Wales received funding for his charity through any connection to Epstein.
Although William is the face of Earthshot Prize — which is a global environmental prize that is awarded to five winners each year for their contributions towards environmentalism — he recruited partners before launching the organization in 2020.
One of those partners is DP World, and their CEO, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, was named in the latest batch of Epstein files.
William has not been named or implemented in the Epstein files. Representatives for Buckingham Palace and Earthshot Prize did not immediately respond to Digital’s request for comment.
Prince William’s Earthshot Prize has been dragged into the Jeffrey Epstein files. (Getty Images)
On Wednesday, William’s Earthshot Prize was reported to the Charity Commission by the anti-monarchy group Republic. In a press release, the organization clearly shared an email Epstein wrote Sulayem while serving his prison sentence in Palm Beach, Florida in April 2009.
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Epstein emailed Sulayem: “Where are you? are you ok , I loved the torture video.”
Prince William spoke with Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World during The Earthshot Prize Innovation Showcase in Dubai in 2022. (Chris Jackson – Pool/Getty Images)
Ian Pelham Turner, a royals expert, told Digital that he believes the Republic is using Sulayem’s ties to Epstein to dissolve the royal family entirely.
“I think it is a bit of a stretch though to suggest the Epstein debacle that Sultan Ahmed donated money through this connection. The money has now been donated to the prizewinning recipients in a proper manner and so I feel Republic is seeking any mud to stick to the Royal family to maximize their strategy that the Royal family should be a thing of the past and dissolved,” Turner said.
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He added, “How will William handle this with the Charity commissioners simply by producing evidence to the contrary.”
Jeffrey Epstein allegedly sent Sulayem a disturbing email in April 2009. (David McGlynn)
Republic shared that DP World donated a minimum of $1.3 million to William’s charity. “The seriousness of this matter requires a full and comprehensive investigation,” Republic wrote in their release.
Republic’s CEO Graham Smith issued a statement in the release, clearly stating that “William has lots of questions to answer about what he knew about Andrew and Epstein.”
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“And now he must explain his relationship with Sulayem,” his statement continued.
“In the context of this widening scandal, we need answers.”
“It is not credible to believe the Foreign Office, security services or other advisors were not aware of Sulayem’s character and would have been able to advise accordingly. These files have been in the hands of U.S. authorities for years. It’s not believable that such intelligence would not have been shared. Earthshot has a duty to do due diligence, to ask questions about donors and where money is coming from. Did they do that here? If so, did William overrule their better judgment?” Smith said.
Group Chairman and CEO of DP World Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem has been named in the Esptein files release. (Riccardo Savi/Getty Images for Concordia Summit)
He concluded with: “In the context of this widening scandal, we need answers.”
Hilary Fordwich, British royals expert, pointed out to Digital that William and his wife Kate Middleton have already shared that they “have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations.” A spokesperson for the couple shared a statement with the BBC on Monday after the recent revelations in the Epstein files.
“Their thoughts remain focused on the victims,” the spokesperson concluded.
Prince Andrew has previously been tied to Epstein. (Chris Jackson)
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“This is a clear indication of Prince William’s leadership skills, getting out in front of this issue, doing what is right, which is to be focusing on the plight of victims,” Fordwich concluded.
The public statement came amid renewed scrutiny surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince and Duke of York who was stripped of his royal titles by King Charles III in October, and his relationship with Epstein.
Kate Middleton and Prince William “have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations” in the Epstein files, according to a spokesperson. (Alberto Pezzali – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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