Who is hugh van cutsem

A Norfolk landowner introduced the Prince of Wales to an offshore company in which his private estate invested millions of pounds, it has emerged. Hugh van Cutsem, a millionaire banker and horse breeder who died in , met Prince Charles at Cambridge University. The Paradise Papers leak has uncovered documents showing the Prince of Wales lobbied for a change to two climate change deals after investing in an offshore carbon credit trading company, of which van Cutsem was a director.

Four months after the share purchase, details of the company's efforts to lobby for amendments to the two treaties were sent to the Prince, minutes from a board meeting suggested. In October , he launched the Prince's Rainforest Project, with the aim of 'increasing global recognition of the contribution of tropical deforestation to climate change and to find ways to make the rainforests worth more alive than dead'.

This is legal and there is no suggestion the Prince received any tax benefit as a result of the investments in either SFM or the four funds based in the Cayman Islands. A spokesman for the Duchy of Cornwall said: 'The Prince of Wales does not have any direct involvement in the investment decisions taken by the Duchy.

The Duchy of Cornwall's accounts are independently audited and presented to Parliament every year. The Prince voluntarily pays income tax on any revenue from The Duchy. He also owned a 4,acre estate in Breckland, best known for its private wild game shoots. For several years the van Cutsems were Sandringham neighbours of the Royal family as leaseholders of Anmer Hall.

The year-old, whose four sons are close to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, formed a strong bond with Charles after they met in the s. He had been a mainstay of royal events for more than 50 years and was a confident during the Prince's marriage break-up with Princess Diana.

In mourning: Hugh Van Cutsem, 72, died yesterday, and he was one of Prince Charles' closest friends after they met at Cambridge in the s.

The Van Cutsems became a mainstay of Royal life, and were the Queen's neighbours for a few years. They lived at Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate, which will soon become WIlliam and Kate's country house after a 'major renovation'. Shared interests: Mr Van Cutsem was a keen conservationist just like Charles, which further cemented their friendship.

He leaves behind his wife of 42 years Emilio and four sons, Edward, 40, Hugh, 39, Nicholas, 36, and William, One is likely to be a godfather to Prince George.

Special moment: Mr Van Cutsem's granddaughter Grace was a bridesmaid at the Royal Wedding and famously covered her ears during a flypast.

In Mr Van Cutsem sparked a 20 hour manhunt after going missing on remote moorland. It took more than 60 rescue workers to locate millionaire landowner Mr van Cutsem, 68, who was found huddled against a stone wall on Garsdale Common, near Hawes, North Yorkshire. Mr van Cutsem was in need of urgent medical attention when he was found by a search and rescue dog.

Mr van Cutsem had set out for a walk five hours earlier from his shooting lodge near the Moorcock Inn pub. His Range Rover was found at a shooting hut on Mossdale Moor, the shooting estate he owns, and he was discovered a mile from the car. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Argos AO. Privacy Policy Feedback. Share this article Share. Share or comment on this article: Prince Charles mourns death of close friend Hugh Van Cutsem e-mail. Comments 10 Share what you think. His daughter Grace was a bridesmaid at Prince William and Kate 's royal wedding in ; she immediately become an internet sensation when she appeared on the balcony with a scowl on her face, covering her ears while the newlyweds shared their first public kiss.

Prince William is also her godfather. In , James delivered the part of the best man's speech with Thomas van Straubenzee at William and Kate's royal wedding. He is also godfather to Princess Charlotte. Thomas is one of William's closest and long-time pals, having attended Ludgrove prep school with William.

He served as an usher along with James Meade at the royal wedding in , and shared the toast at the wedding reception. Prince William returned the favour by being an usher at Thomas's nuptials. Thomas is also Princess Charlotte's godfather. Oliver is a good friend of both William and Kate's; he was a student with them at St. Andrew's University in Scotland. He is also one of Prince George 's godparents.

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