James Stunt, a high-profile gold bullion dealer and former husband of Formula 1 heiress Petra Ecclestone, has been revealed to have forged connections within the royal family, particularly with King Charles III during his time as Prince of Wales. Despite his controversial past, which includes public admission of a cocaine addiction and ties to a notorious crime family, Stunt’s relationship with the royal family was marked by both privilege and scandal.
In an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday, John Gilmour, Stunt’s former butler, disclosed details about the tycoon’s close association with the future King. According to Gilmour, Stunt was welcomed at various royal palaces and frequently met with Charles, attending special events such as a private audience at Clarence House and a banquet at Buckingham Palace. Stunt's contributions to royal charities, amounting to £140,000 between 2014 and 2016, seemingly played a role in gaining access to royal circles.
Stunt's friendship with Charles reportedly intensified after he donated substantial sums to the Prince’s Trust and other initiatives supporting the monarchy’s charitable efforts. Gilmour recalled an instance where Stunt loaned 17 paintings, including works purportedly by artists such as Monet and Dali, to Dumfries House—a gesture praised by Charles in a letter he described as a “truly remarkable” act of generosity. However, subsequent revelations indicated that many of these paintings were forgeries, raising eyebrows over their approval and the integrity of the royal connections.
In 2017, amidst increasing scrutiny, it was reported that Stunt had become embroiled in a money laundering investigation, with claims his gold-trading business was used to clean illicit funds. Nevertheless, he was later cleared of significant charges. Four other individuals were convicted in relation to a £266 million money laundering operation.
Gilmour’s testimony also highlighted Stunt’s lavish lifestyle, which involved extravagant spending facilitated by his connections. He was known for expenditures on high-value items, including a £25,000 rose gold watch, allegedly gifted through an aide to Charles. Observations from Gilmour suggested that Stunt often indulged in excessive spending on cocaine and sought companionship from high-end escorts, with reports indicating he met multiple women weekly.
During this turbulent period in Stunt’s life, he claimed his addiction to cocaine intensified following his split from his wife. Court remarks noted that he became increasingly reclusive, struggling with his addiction to the extent that he relied on others to arrange for his cocaine supply, obscuring it in his belongings.
Despite his challenges, Stunt’s connections to the royals were noteworthy, especially due to his connections with Michael Fawcett, Charles’s former aide, who played a pivotal role in facilitating Stunt’s access to royal engagements and private meetings. Fawcett's frequent visits, sometimes described as impromptu art shows showcasing Stunt’s collection, further entrenched their relationship.
As the details of Stunt’s lifestyle and associations continue to emerge, they invite scrutiny over the royal family’s connections to benefactors and whether such relationships reflect a trend within royal circles to associate with individuals of questionable repute. The broader implications of these revelations may evoke discussions regarding transparency and the nature of charitable contributions within the monarchy.
Stunt's ambitious and extravagant lifestyle has undeniably shaped his legacy, marked by both ostentation and controversy, leaving observers to consider the complexities surrounding his connections to the British royal family.
Source: Noah Wire Services