Prince Harry's decision to take a public swipe at Prince Charlies about the donor at the heart of the 'cash for access' scandal shows that their relationship is at 'rock bottom' with father and son now 'very distant', royal experts told MailOnline today.
The Duke of Sussex has risked another public rift with the Prince of Wales after he said he had 'severed ties' with Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz a year before Prince Charles presented the controversial Saudi billionaire with a CBE - and said he had 'concerns' over the businessman's 'motives'.
Charles has been engulfed by criticism in recent months owing to his relationship with Mr Mahfouz and the hundreds of thousands of pounds the billionaire donated to the royal's pet projects via his charitable trust. The prince's senior aide Michael Fawcett was forced to resign as head of The Prince's Foundation last month over his role in the scandal.
In an extraordinary statement last night, Harry said he had no involvement in what he described as the 'CBE scandal', insisted he had concerns about the Saudi businessman's 'motives' and claimed he 'expressed his concerns' about him.
The Duke of Sussex made the comments after it was revealed that he had held a private meeting with Mr Mahfouz, who has given tens of thousands of pounds to charities associated with the duke. It is not clear if any of that money was given back - or who Harry raised his concerns to.
Royal watchers said the intervention is a sign that father and son have not patched things up since Megxit and the bombshells dropped by the Sussexes in their Oprah interview in March.
Angela Levin, who wrote a recent biography on the Duke of Sussex, told MailOnline: 'Harry's relationship with his father is rock bottom, for him, but not for his hugely hurt and loving father.
'He [Harry] seems to need to endlessly attack his loving father to feel powerful, especially now that Prince Charles no longer feeds him large amounts of money.
'If he felt so suspicious about Saudi billionaire Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, why didn't he return the £50,000 to his African charity Sentebale and £10,000 to Walking With The Wounded, of which he was patron. At the time he must have had £30million in the bank that his mother left him.
'He hasn't given us details when and who he warned about the billionaire's credibility. Nor has he mentioned who he told and when. Nor does he mention the diamond earrings Meghan was gifted from a dubious billionaire Saudi'.
She added: 'It's the same old thing from Harry and Meghan. Be compassionate to those you know and don't know, but I am going to attack my family and especially my father'.
Commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said Harry going public will further 'fuel speculation about the state of his relations with his father, which appears to be distant. The problems engulfing his charitable foundation and the resignation of Michael Fawcett are embarrassing for Charles. The wording of the Duke's statement, referring to 'the CBE scandal' will be noted too.
'What is highlighted by this episode is that what would normally be expected from members of the Royal Family, close collaboration between father and son when statements are issued when dealing with a highly sensitive matter like this, is conspicuously lacking'. He said this 'bodes ill' with Harry's memoir due out next year.
The Duke of Sussex (left) said last night he had 'severed ties' with Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz (right) a year before Prince Charles presented the controversial Saudi billionaire with a CBE
But in an extraordinary statement which could spark a family rift, Harry said he had no involvement in what he described as the 'CBE scandal', insisted he had concerns about the Saudi businessman's 'motives'
Prince Charles (left) has been engulfed by criticism in recent months owing to his relationship with Mr Mahfouz (right)
Prince Charles has reportedly said he is willing to speak to detectives over allegations that his closest aide fixed an honour for a Saudi billionaire.
Former Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, who filed a criminal complaint about the matter three months ago, told MailOnline: 'The tide of sleaze is lapping at Prince Charles' door and his son can see it. Harry is trying to protect himself and is clearly saying to his dad: Don't drag me into it.
'If police speak to Charles he will likely tell them: 'I knew nothing about it'. If that's what he says then Harry's statement becomes more important and police may then want to speak to him, although that could be more problematic because he lives abroad'. Mr Baker said it would be telling if the Duke of Sussex chose to do so.
He added: 'The police have been reluctant to investigate the Royal Family. They did it with Andrew and are trying to do the same with Charles'.
Royal commentator Peter Hunt added: 'Prince Charles presented Mr Mahfouz with his CBE in 2016. Did Prince Harry tell him about his concerns in 2015?
'Just one of the many questions the Metropolitan Police could ask father and son if they choose to investigate.'
Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz is embroiled in claims that he showered money on charitable causes close to the Prince of Wales in the hope of obtaining an honour and British citizenship.
Harry is said to have become concerned about Mr Mahfouz in 2014 and wound down their relationship the following year, having met him twice.
An independent investigation last week found Mr Fawcett had colluded with 'fixers' representing Mr Mahfouz who were trying to secure an honour in exchange for donations.
Mr Mahfouz is thought to have donated at least £1.5 million to royal charities.
The Duke of Sussex said that when he cut ties with Mr Mahfouz in 2015, he 'expressed his concerns about the donor'. But his statement did not make clear to whom he voiced these qualms.
The following year, Charles presented the Saudi billionaire with an 'honorary' CBE in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The Prince of Wales and Mr Mahfouz also held private meetings in Scotland and Saudi Arabia.
The prince's senior aide Michael Fawcett (pictured) was forced to resign as head of The Prince's Foundation last month
