Princes William and Harry will be ‘pleased’ that Michael Fawcett has resigned as they felt he was a ‘pernicious influence’ on their father’s household, sources said last night.
Insiders said both the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex have long believed that Prince Charles was ‘unwise’ to rely so heavily on his right-hand man.
Harry even turned down an offer from Charles to have Mr Fawcett’s private events company, Premier Mode, help out with his 2018 wedding to Meghan as he wanted him to have nothing to do with it.
‘Divisive role’: Fawcett behind William and Charles at Holyroodhouse
One source said: ‘They were concerned at the way in which Fawcett was allowed to operate a personal fiefdom at the heart of their father’s household.
“They considered it unwise and divisive.
‘They will not be disappointed by what has happened.’
Yesterday the Daily Mail revealed that Mr Fawcett, who was in charge of Charles’s charity operations, had dramatically quit over an ongoing ‘cash for access’ inquiry.
He has resigned from his £95,000-a-year post as chief executive of the Prince’s Foundation, with friends saying he is ‘shattered’ by events.
Also, he was terminated from his contract with Charles to arrange events and entertain him. It is the end of 40 years service.
Prince Charles’s closest aide Michael Fawcett photographed outside his South West London house in September
It follows reports he offered to help a billionaire Saudi donor to the prince’s charity secure both a knighthood and British citizenship.
It is understood that the prince’s former valet is not seeking to pre-empt an official investigation into the claims, which is still under way.
Mr Fawcett, who is 59 years old, was forced to resign twice before due to scandals that included bullying accusations and sales of royal items. The Prince of Wales rehired him each time and promoted him.
Palace insiders expressed shock at Charles’s decision to let go. One said: ‘Honestly, no one ever thought it would happen.’
Friends say Mr Fawcett is a ‘shadow of the man he once was’, both literally and metaphorically, having lost five stone.
Michael Fawcett (pictured left with the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles), aide & former valet to the Prince of Wales, resigned over Honour Claims
According to them, that was the motivation for the resignation and not an inquiry.
Yesterday, many in royal circles wondered what the prince would do without him. One said: ‘He was the prince’s crutch, he relied on him completely.
Michael made things happen that others couldn’t or wouldn’t do. He will be bereft without him.’
Clarence House previously stated that they support the investigation of these allegations.
It emerged that Mr Fawcett may still be subject to a police probe over an alleged scandal involving cash-for-honours.
Cressida, Met Commissioner for the Met received complaint from Norman Baker, former Liberal Democrat minister and Republic over possible violations of the Honours Prevention of Abuses Act of 1995.
Scotland Yard is still ‘making initial inquiries’.
‘Cool, calm’ mum who replaces him
Michael Fawcett’s replacement as chief executive of The Prince’s Foundation is a ‘cool-headed and supremely capable’ mother-of-two.
Emily Cherrington, 38, pictured, is seen as the ideal person to steer the heir’s charitable legacy through choppy waters.
Married to a teacher. Mrs Cherrington is incredibly well-liked.
‘She is generally reg-arded as cool-headed in a crisis and that’s exactly what is needed,’ said someone who previously worked closely with her.
Emily Cherrington, 38, is the replacement for Michael Fawcett as chief executive of The Prince’s Foundation