Michael Fawcett

Michael David Fawcett MVO is a former senior valet to Charles, Prince of Wales who today consults on various royal projects. Fawcett resigned from his position in Prince Charles's inner circle in March 2003, following a report by Sir Michael Peat that identified mismanagement at Clarence House.

Career

Royal household

Fawcett rose to become Prince Charles's personal valet. Fawcett is widely described by his employees as strict, and often bullying, but was protected by the Prince, such as in an episode in 1998 in which various staff complained about Fawcett's bullying attitude. Former royal press officer Dickie Arbiter remarked of Fawcett, "Fawcett has been there for so many years, so close in times of stress, that he knows all the ins and outs and all the warts."[1] This has been contrasted against biographies such as ‘Behind Palace Doors’ where Major Colin Burgess pondered why Fawcett has been able to exert influence in royal circles to the degree he has with little formal education or professional experience.

Controversies

Prince Charles' denial of unspecified banned allegation

In 2003, Fawcett received an injunction against The Mail on Sunday, banning them from writing about an unspecified allegation. A few days later, Prince Charles issued a statement, asserting that the unspecified banned allegation was untrue.[2]

Gift selling

In March 2003, after the report by Sir Michael Peat accusing him of selling gifts during his time working for the royal household, including a Rolex Daytona watch valued at £3500.[3] Despite his official resignation, he returned to work for the Prince as a freelance organiser and in other roles, while those employees who had complained were "no longer with the Prince's staff".

In 2005, the former royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke said to the Mail on Sunday that in 2003 many people had been afraid to help with the Peat inquiry: "None came forward because no one could guarantee Michael would go. He resigned, then four days later he was back. Everybody was concerned that if you spoke out against him, he could get rid of you."[3]

Personal life

Fawcett married former royal housemaid, Debbie, in the early 1990s. The couple have a daughter and a son.

References
  1. "Michael Fawcett: Trusted aide". BBC News. 2003-11-07. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
  2. Timeline: Royal troubles BBC News, 7 November 2003
  3. Tiggy attacks Fawcett, the £250,000 fixer for Charles by Susan Clarke in the Mail on Sunday dated 4 September 2005, online at newsbackup.com (accessed 2 February 2008)
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