Thelife- Prince Michael of Kent has returned the Russian Order of Friendship.
- The award was given to him by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in 2009.
Prince Michael of Kent has returned a Russian honor in response to the country's invasion of Ukraine, the Daily Express reports.
Michael is a first cousin to
A spokesperson for Prince Michael confirmed to the Daily Express' royal correspondent, Richard Palmer, that he has returned the Order of Friendship, which was given to him by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in 2009.
The Order of Friendship award is given to Russian and foreign nationals whose work and actions have been aimed at strengthening the relations of Russia and other nations, according to the publication. Other recipients include former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, it added.
The prince's spokesperson declined to comment on whether he would continue to do business in Russia, according to the Daily Express.
Michael was previously accused of offering to use his royal status to grant access to Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime, according to a Sunday Times and Channel 4 report cited by BBC News in May.
He was filmed at a meeting with undercover reporters, who were told he could be hired to make representations to the Kremlin, the BBC reported. The royal's friend, the Marquess of Reading, later described him as "Her Majesty's unofficial ambassador to Russia," the report added.
A spokesperson for Prince Michael denied the allegations, saying in a statement that the Marquess "made suggestions which Prince Michael would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfill."
Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Representatives for Prince Michael of Kent declined to comment.