Socialite James Stunt used his extraordinarily close ties to King Charles as he successfully fought against a criminal allegation that he was involved in a £266 million money laundering operation.
The 43-year-old former gold bullion dealer who was once married to Formula One heiress Petra Ecclestone, faced years in prison if convicted of helping drugs gang convert dirty money into gold.
Prosecutors claimed Stunt allowing his prestigious Mayfair office to be used as “a trusted hub for money laundering”.
But the eccentric businessman insisted he had no knowledge of a criminal enterprise, he was living in an Los Angeles mansion at the time, and he was cleared by a jury at the end of a mammoth trial at Leeds crown court.
In the witness box, Stunt – the godson of notorious crime family boss Terry Adams – detailed his battles with drug addiction, his gambling habits, and his luxury lifestyle.
And a key part of his defence revolved around his ties to King Charles.
Stunt showed off a picture of himself with Charles which is proudly hung in his office, alongside personal handwritten letters of thanks from the King.
In one letter from Clarence House, the Daily Mail reports that Charles wrote: “Your kindness and generosity are truly remarkable, and I appreciate such a gesture more than you can ever know.”
Stunt had donated vast sums to Charles’ charities when he was Prince of Wales, and loaned out a collection of 17 paintings which were put on display in the Royal Palaces.
Another of Charles’ letters set out how the artworks would “provide us with much needed security” for his charitable foundation. “if things ever get tough”.
When Stunt first stood trial in Leeds over the alleged money laundering plot, the jury could not decide on a verdict. And while awaiting his retrial, the businessman was in the dock at Southwark crown court over a bizarre rant at police.
In 2020, Stunt was taken in for questioning by the Metropolitan Police and called one of the officer, who is black, the offensive term an “Uncle Tom”.
In that rant, Stunt claimed he could have the police officers sacked due to his political influence, and he brought up his ties to King Charles while suggesting he is his godfather.
Stunt has three children with Ms Ecclestone, but their marriage ended in divorce in 2017 after he had battled a lengthy addiction to prescription drugs.
They wed in a lavish £12 million ceremony in an Italian castle in 2011, with Eric Clapton and the Black Eyed Peas providing the music. It was the same venue where Tom Cruise married Katie Holmes.
Stunt, who had a humble upbringing in Brixton, is known for his outrageous brags – he was once involved in “the biggest bet in the world” at £90 million, and he reported referred to himself as “the biggest blackjack player on the planet”.
He amassed a collection of supercars – Lamborghini, Rolls Royces, and Range Rovers – but conversely insists to those he speaks to that he is just a normal person and in reality “really boring”.
However his friendship with King Charles is anything but.
The judge at his money laundering trial refused to allow their letters into evidence, after hearing that Buckingham Palace “didn't consent to the use of the letters”.
He did show off the photo of them, which is said to have been taken between 2014 and 2016 at either Clarence House or St James's Palace. And Stunt told the court there is “more than one photo of me and the King”.
The jury were also told of £140,000 in donations to Charles' charities. Defending his position, Stunt insisted: “If I was laundering the proceeds of crime I wouldn't offend my future King.”
In an email to a bank, Stunt is said to have boasted: “I'm a rich list billionaire. The Prince of Wales is one of my best friends.”
He says he provided office space in Mayfair in 2014 for Sir Michael Peat, Charles’ former private secretary, offering another glimpse of his top tier Royal connections.
And an inquiry laid bare the activities of another of Charles’ key lieutenants, valet Michael Fawcett, at the King’s Foundation, formerly known as the Prince’s Foundation.
Mr Fawcett faced criticism for failing to ensure a collection of artwork, reportedly worth more than £100 million and loaned to the charity by businessman James Stunt, was insured.
Stunt had loaned the pieces by Monet, Picasso, Dali and others to the Prince’s Foundation to display at its headquarters, Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland.
But fears emerged that four of the works were actually fakes.
It remains a mystery when the King’s letters to Stunt began, but he was writing in glowing terms to the businessman in 2014 and 2015 about being “incredibly touched” by his generosity.
Charles is said to have written to Stunt expressing his sympathy after the sudden death of his brother. After Stunt’s legal trials and tribulations over the last few years, including a bitter divorce fight, criminal trials about money laundering and racial abuse, and bankruptcy proceedings, it remains to be seen if their unlikely friendship and exchanges of letters will persist.
