TOM BOWER: Surely, as an intelligent man, Charles can see his actions bode ill for a future King - Daily Mail

To his considerable credit, Prince Charles has raised millions of pounds for charity.

To his considerable credit, Prince Charles (pictured last week) has raised millions of pounds for charity.

Then, amid mounting evidence of questionable practice, the charity's chairman Douglas Connell stood down and executive director Chris Martin temporarily stepped aside?

Most embarrassingly for Charles, Mr Connell went so far as to describe as 'rogue activity' and 'serious misconduct' the evidence that the Prince had agreed to meet a Russian banker and Saudi businessman in return for donations.

Then, amid mounting evidence of questionable practice, the charity's chairman Douglas Connell stood down and executive director Chris Martin temporarily stepped aside.

Key among those voices was Prince Philip's.

When advised on one occasion by an accountant that a proposed design was unaffordable, 'because you haven't got the money', Charles, I'm told, said to an assistant: 'I never want to see that man again!'.

The Prince may believe raising money for good causes is a moral commitment that trumps everything – but it has come at a huge price?

But with Prince Philip's passing and the Queen celebrating her 96th birthday next year, it will become a reality sooner or later?

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