George Smith (royal servant)
Encyclopedia
George Anthony Smith was a former footman
and valet
in the Royal Household
of Prince Charles
.
Smith alleged:
The allegations made international headlines in November 2003 and were the subject of a legal injunction
in the United Kingdom
.
during the 1980s, when he saw active service in the Falklands War
and in Northern Ireland
. In his own words, published in the British Mail on Sunday newspaper:
, experiencing flashbacks to the bombing of the Sir Galahad
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
landing ship, on which he had served during the Falklands conflict. He subsequently suffered a nervous breakdown
. To recuperate, he was taken by Elizabeth Burgess, one of the Prince of Wales's secretaries, to a cottage on the Prince's Highgrove estate. While there, he alleged that he had been subject to a homosexual rape
some years earlier by Michael Fawcett
, a married former footman who had become one of the Prince's closest friends. Burgess, believing she had been told "in confidence", did not repeat the allegation.
that he was being followed and that threats were being made against him, with strangers banging on his front door. Doubting the story but aware that he was an aide to the Prince of Wales, the police set up a secret CCTV
camera to verify his testimony. Though he continued to make allegations, the police tapes showed that no-one was following him or banging on his door. The police then approached the Prince's staff in St. James's Palace
in London and warned that unless Smith received help he would be prosecuted for "wasting police time". The Prince paid for him to attend The Priory, a famous British
drink and drug
treatment centre frequented by rock stars such as Robbie Williams
and prominent people in the aristocracy, the media and the public eye.
and made two allegations. He repeated his allegation that he had been raped. He also claimed to have witnessed the Princess's estranged husband, the Prince of Wales, lying in bed with his aide, Michael Fawcett, on one occasion when he brought the Prince his breakfast. Diana made a tape of the interview. The whereabouts of the tape became a matter of considerable controversy following Diana's death in August 1997.
A subsequent inquiry by senior staff members of the Prince of Wales into the rape allegations dismissed them as fiction. Smith was retired from the Prince's Household.
newspaper sought and received permission from the courts on 6 November 2003 to name Fawcett as the party granted the injunction. In response, the Prince's Private Secretary issued a statement denying the allegations and questioning the trustworthiness of the unnamed Smith as a source.
Though the story still cannot be published in England
, Wales
and Northern Ireland
, it has been written about extensively in the Republic of Ireland
and Italy
and on some Internet
websites. It was also published in the Scottish
Glasgow Herald; Scotland
, which operates under a different legal jurisdiction from the rest of the United Kingdom, is exempt from a ruling of the English High Court.
, a British media commentator, speaking on The Last Word, an Irish radio current affairs programme, called Smith "probably the most unreliable source for any story on anything anywhere in the United Kingdom". Other commentators have expressed similar criticisms. Simon Solari, who worked as the Prince of Wales's valet for 15 years, was equally dismissive of Smith's claims, saying that a royal valet simply would not have had the opportunity to witness the scene Smith described - even if it actually took place.
Only the Mail on Sunday defended Smith. In a story that hinted at Smith's claims but did not reproduce them due to the legal restrictions, it quoted Smith as saying:
Smith claims only to have witnessed a member of the Royal Family and his aide "tucked up under the sheets, lying next to each other". There is no suggestion that a sexual act was taking place when Smith (allegedly) entered the room. According to the valet's brother, Bryan Smith:
On 13 June 2004, the Sunday Telegraph
claimed that Smith had withdrawn his allegations. But he repudiated their claim, and stated that while he had been tempted by their offer of cash in return for a withdrawal, he had refused the offer, because the allegations were true.
Footman
A footman is a male servant, notably as domestic staff.-Word history:The name derives from the attendants who ran beside or behind the carriages of aristocrats, many of whom were chosen for their physical attributes. They ran alongside the coach to make sure it was not overturned by such obstacles...
and valet
Valet
Valet and varlet are terms for male servants who serve as personal attendants to their employer.- Word origins :In the Middle Ages, the valet de chambre to a ruler was a prestigious appointment for young men...
in the Royal Household
Royal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
of Prince Charles
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
.
Smith alleged:
- that he was raped by Michael FawcettMichael FawcettMichael Fawcett is the former senior valet and a "close personal friend" of Charles, Prince of Wales. Fawcett resigned from his position in Prince Charles' inner circle in March 2003, after the report by Sir Michael Peat-Career:...
, a favoured servant of the Prince CharlesPrince of WalesPrince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
; and - that Fawcett was himself in a homosexual relationship with the Prince of Wales, who protected him.
The allegations made international headlines in November 2003 and were the subject of a legal injunction
Injunction
An injunction is an equitable remedy in the form of a court order that requires a party to do or refrain from doing certain acts. A party that fails to comply with an injunction faces criminal or civil penalties and may have to pay damages or accept sanctions...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Military career
Smith served as a soldier in the Welsh GuardsWelsh Guards
The Welsh Guards is an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Guards Division.-Creation :The Welsh Guards came into existence on 26 February 1915 by Royal Warrant of His Majesty King George V in order to include Wales in the national component to the Foot Guards, "..though the order...
during the 1980s, when he saw active service in the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
and in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. In his own words, published in the British Mail on Sunday newspaper:
- From the day in 1986 I joined the Household as a footman on secondment from the Welsh Guards I served the Prince and Princess loyally and to the best of my ability. The Prince was so impressed with my work that he brought me on to his staff fulltime in 1989.
Mental breakdown & rape allegation
Critics within the Household, however, claimed that in the 1990s his work performance deteriorated dramatically. By his own admission, he began to drink heavily. In 1995, his marriage fell apart. He became clinically depressedClinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
, experiencing flashbacks to the bombing of the Sir Galahad
RFA Sir Galahad (1966)
RFA Sir Galahad was a Round Table class landing ship logistics vessel belonging to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. She was first managed for the British Army by the British-India Steam Navigation Company, before being transferred in 1970 to the RFA, part of the British fleet, .-Design and...
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian-manned fleet owned by the British Ministry of Defence. The RFA enables ships of the United Kingdom Royal Navy to maintain operations around the world. Its primary role is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel, ammunition and supplies, normally by replenishment...
landing ship, on which he had served during the Falklands conflict. He subsequently suffered a nervous breakdown
Nervous breakdown
Mental breakdown is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety.-Definition:...
. To recuperate, he was taken by Elizabeth Burgess, one of the Prince of Wales's secretaries, to a cottage on the Prince's Highgrove estate. While there, he alleged that he had been subject to a homosexual rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
some years earlier by Michael Fawcett
Michael Fawcett
Michael Fawcett is the former senior valet and a "close personal friend" of Charles, Prince of Wales. Fawcett resigned from his position in Prince Charles' inner circle in March 2003, after the report by Sir Michael Peat-Career:...
, a married former footman who had become one of the Prince's closest friends. Burgess, believing she had been told "in confidence", did not repeat the allegation.
Accused of "wasting police time"
He later claimed to policePolice
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
that he was being followed and that threats were being made against him, with strangers banging on his front door. Doubting the story but aware that he was an aide to the Prince of Wales, the police set up a secret CCTV
Closed-circuit television
Closed-circuit television is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors....
camera to verify his testimony. Though he continued to make allegations, the police tapes showed that no-one was following him or banging on his door. The police then approached the Prince's staff in St. James's Palace
St. James's Palace
St. James's Palace is one of London's oldest palaces. It is situated in Pall Mall, just north of St. James's Park. Although no sovereign has resided there for almost two centuries, it has remained the official residence of the Sovereign and the most senior royal palace in the UK...
in London and warned that unless Smith received help he would be prosecuted for "wasting police time". The Prince paid for him to attend The Priory, a famous British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
drink and drug
Psychoactive drug
A psychoactive drug, psychopharmaceutical, or psychotropic is a chemical substance that crosses the blood–brain barrier and acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it affects brain function, resulting in changes in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behavior...
treatment centre frequented by rock stars such as Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
and prominent people in the aristocracy, the media and the public eye.
Allegations against Charles made to Diana
Smith approached Diana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
and made two allegations. He repeated his allegation that he had been raped. He also claimed to have witnessed the Princess's estranged husband, the Prince of Wales, lying in bed with his aide, Michael Fawcett, on one occasion when he brought the Prince his breakfast. Diana made a tape of the interview. The whereabouts of the tape became a matter of considerable controversy following Diana's death in August 1997.
A subsequent inquiry by senior staff members of the Prince of Wales into the rape allegations dismissed them as fiction. Smith was retired from the Prince's Household.
Statement to the Mail on Sunday
Smith's second allegation, of a sexual relationship between the Prince of Wales and Fawcett, was repeated in a legal statement issued by him to the Mail on Sunday newspaper. Fawcett took a High Court injunction to prevent their disclosure. The injunction was granted. The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
newspaper sought and received permission from the courts on 6 November 2003 to name Fawcett as the party granted the injunction. In response, the Prince's Private Secretary issued a statement denying the allegations and questioning the trustworthiness of the unnamed Smith as a source.
Though the story still cannot be published in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, it has been written about extensively in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and on some Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
websites. It was also published in the Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
Glasgow Herald; Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, which operates under a different legal jurisdiction from the rest of the United Kingdom, is exempt from a ruling of the English High Court.
Media dismissive of credibility
Though the full nature of the allegations has yet to be made public in the United Kingdom (outside Scotland), few media commentators have expressed any belief in Smith's story. Geoffrey WheatcroftGeoffrey Wheatcroft
Geoffrey Albert Wheatcroft is a British journalist and writer.- Education :He was educated at University College School, London, and at New College Oxford, where he read Modern History.- Publishing and journalism :...
, a British media commentator, speaking on The Last Word, an Irish radio current affairs programme, called Smith "probably the most unreliable source for any story on anything anywhere in the United Kingdom". Other commentators have expressed similar criticisms. Simon Solari, who worked as the Prince of Wales's valet for 15 years, was equally dismissive of Smith's claims, saying that a royal valet simply would not have had the opportunity to witness the scene Smith described - even if it actually took place.
Only the Mail on Sunday defended Smith. In a story that hinted at Smith's claims but did not reproduce them due to the legal restrictions, it quoted Smith as saying:
- I lost my job, my house, my wife and children because it all became too much for me... Today I feel under great stress again because the establishment is mounting a campaign against me. They are very powerful and privileged and have lots of money to pay lawyers to prevent me from telling the truth.
Smith claims only to have witnessed a member of the Royal Family and his aide "tucked up under the sheets, lying next to each other". There is no suggestion that a sexual act was taking place when Smith (allegedly) entered the room. According to the valet's brother, Bryan Smith:
- George has told me there was no physical activity but you didn't have to be a brain surgeon to work out what had been going on.
On 13 June 2004, the Sunday Telegraph
Sunday Telegraph
The Sunday Telegraph is a British broadsheet newspaper, founded in February 1961. It is the sister paper of The Daily Telegraph, but is run separately with a different editorial staff, although there is some cross-usage of stories...
claimed that Smith had withdrawn his allegations. But he repudiated their claim, and stated that while he had been tempted by their offer of cash in return for a withdrawal, he had refused the offer, because the allegations were true.
External links
- The Sunday Times on international coverage
- Sunday Times editorial
- BBC report on dismissive comments by another ex-valet
- BBC report on Scottish newspaper's publication of allegations
- Clarence House statement denying the 'incident'
- Sky News report
- CBS News coverage
- Sunday Mirror: Revealed: Secrets of the 'Rape Tape'
- UK republican site's summary of the allegations