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

Royal Finances Under Scrutiny: Exploring the Funders Behind the York Sisters’ Lavish Weddings

A new book has uncovered fresh insights into the financial arrangements surrounding Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice’s extravagant wedding gifts, reigniting debates about the Duke of York’s financial practices. Historian Andrew Lownie’s work in *Entitled* highlights how certain individuals connected to the royal family may have played a role in funding their daughters’ opulent lifestyles.

Guests with Hidden Connections

Among the notable attendees at Eugenie’s 2018 nuptials was Tarek Kaituni, a Libyan firearms dealer with ties to the Duke. The book details how Kaituni, who had previously gifted Eugenie an £18,000 diamond necklace for her 21st birthday, was present at the event. Meanwhile, Turkish businesswoman Nebahat Isbilen reportedly transferred £750,000 to the Duke’s personal account, allegedly earmarked for Beatrice’s ceremony.

These generous contributions have raised eyebrows, especially as they are frequently tied to the princesses’ parents and their financial ventures. The book suggests these individuals may have helped fund the sisters’ extravagant travel and spending habits, prompting questions about the source of their wealth.

Gate Ventures and Financial Controversies

Three years prior to the wedding, in 2015, the Duke’s involvement in Gate Ventures, a company chaired by Dr. Johnny Hon, had already sparked scrutiny. Hon, a Hong Kong entrepreneur, had hired Sarah Ferguson as a non-executive director, a move that became central to a legal dispute involving Chinese investors. These investors claimed Gate Ventures had misled them about loans to Ginger & Moss, a company founded by the Duchess, with £19 million of £24 million raised allegedly lost to mismanagement.

Later reports accused the firm of excessive spending and unusual dealings with offshore entities, including a loan to Manuel Fernandez’s company, VVoosh, where the Duchess had invested. Hon defended the expenses as necessary for business growth, asserting they benefited Gate Ventures. However, a judge noted the £8,000 spent on a tea meeting with the Duchess seemed inconsistent with the investors’ expectations.

“That is not the purpose for which these small Chinese investors paid their money in to the company.”

Controversies Resurface with Virginia Giuffre Settlement

The Duke’s financial ties were further complicated in 2022 when the Virginia Giuffre settlement brought renewed attention to his finances. Nebahat Isbilen, who was suing business advisor Selman Turk for £40 million, became embroiled in the controversy. She alleged that the £750,000 sent to the Duke’s account in 2019 was part of a scheme to fund Beatrice’s wedding.

Isbilen claimed Turk had assured her the money was a gift for the ceremony, while the Duke’s office insisted it was a gesture for the event. The payment occurred just nine days after Turk won an award at Pitch@Palace for his digital bank concept, which critics called “appalling.” An insider described the timing as suspicious, noting: “I just remember thinking, ‘How did he get through…”

These revelations continue to fuel speculation about the extent of financial support for the royal family, particularly as the Duke’s past connections to high-profile figures like Colonel Gaddafi and his role in funding a four-day Tunisian holiday remain under examination.