As questions grow over who funded the York sisters’ lavish lifestyles, how a Libyan gun smuggler was invited to Eugenie’s wedding, while bride Beatrice received ‘£750,000 as a gift’ from Turkish millionairess

As questions grow over who funded the York sisters’ lavish lifestyles, how a Libyan gun smuggler was invited to Eugenie’s wedding, while bride Beatrice received ‘£750,000 as a gift’ from Turkish millionairess

A new book has shed light on the generous, six-figure ‘wedding gifts’ bestowed upon Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, fueling renewed scrutiny of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s financial affairs. Historian Andrew Lownie’s work in Entitled reveals how convicted Libyan gun smuggler Tarek Kaituni was a guest at Eugenie’s 2018 nuptials, during which he gifted her a £18,000 diamond necklace for her 21st birthday. Meanwhile, Turkish businesswoman Nebahat Isbilen reportedly funneled £750,000 into the Duke’s personal account, allegedly for Beatrice’s ceremony.

The extravagant expenses tied to the princesses’ events have sparked speculation about the role of their parents in financing their opulent lifestyles. This includes the Duke’s alleged association with high-profile attendees, such as a Hong Kong tycoon who contributed to the cost of Eugenie’s wedding. Dr. Johnny Hon, a key figure in the Duke’s financial circle, was known to the Duchess of York and had previously served as chair of Gate Ventures, a venture capital firm where Sarah Ferguson became a non-executive director.

“That is not the purpose for which these small Chinese investors paid their money in to the company,” remarked a judge during a contentious legal dispute involving Gate Ventures. The firm faced claims of misleading shareholders about loans provided to Ginger & Moss, a company founded by the Duchess of York, with £19 million of the £24 million raised allegedly lost.

Investigations into the Duke’s financial dealings intensified after the 2022 Virginia Giuffre settlement, which reignited questions about his wealth. Among the figures linked to the royal wedding were Tarek Kaituni and business adviser Selman Turk, who both met with the Duke. Turk’s £40 million lawsuit against Isbilen, which she claimed was due to misused funds, added further complexity. The dispute highlighted a £750,000 transfer to the Duke’s account in 2019, which his office described as a gift for Beatrice’s wedding.

Isbilen’s legal battle coincided with Turk’s victory at Pitch@Palace, where he won an award for his digital bank concept. A source noted that the event was “appalling,” raising eyebrows about the timing of the £750,000 payment. The insider told Lownie: “I just remember thinking, ‘How did he get through’…”