This might help explain why the British are overreacting. They are very protective of their royals.
PRINCE AND FAWCETT WEREN'T LOVERS
Nov 9 2003
By Mike Hamilton & Susie Boniface
PRINCE Charles and former aide Michael Fawcett are NOT and NEVER have been lovers, close friends of the heir to the throne insisted last night.
They rallied to his defence amid a welter of wild speculation about his relationship with his loyal former valet.
Rumours and lurid tales swept the internet, and more foreign publications ran allegations about Charles.
His closest allies said the truth was that Charles and Fawcett are extremely close and many people in royal circles found that hard to deal with.
"They don't like the bond between the royal and the servant - particularly when the servant has developed royal mannerisms," said one courtier.
"Just to see them together is a little unnerving at first, simply because Charles is almost deferential in Michael's presence.
"It is almost a role reversal of master and servant. Charles seeks his re-assurance and advice, which considering Fawcett is an ill-educated servant is quite remarkable and unprecedented.
"Camilla uses Michael too. If there is a difference of opinion with Charles, then Michael will act as a go-between to sort it out. A lot of the rumours have started because of this closeness."
Another royal aide said: "Michael has huge zest and energy for life. He has always been intensely loyal to Charles. He is the epitome of efficiency and that has made him grow over the years in Charles's estimation.
"Now he is simply Charles's fixer, confidant and friend. As Diana had Paul Burrell, Charles has Michael Fawcett. But to suggest their relationship might be sexual is absurd.
"It is certainly true they have been extremely close for 20 years and that Charles leant on Michael a great deal. But it never went further than that.
"Neither of them are gay. Michael is married and Charles is obviously with Camilla. Charles is a very sexual man, you only have to see the interaction between him and women - they simply adore him."
Clarence House was poised last night to deal with more scandalous claims about Prince Charles. His Private Secretary, Sir Michael Peat, has already publicly denied an unspecified allegation.
The denial came after Fawcett was granted an injunction against a newspaper to stop it printing details. But, another newspaper then won a High Court appeal allowing it to name Fawcett as the person who brought the court action.
Another senior royal aide said last night: "A lot of the stuff said and written about the two of them like Michael putting toothpaste on Charles's toothbrush has aroused suspicions.
"However, it has provided amusement in royal circles, but that is because everyone knows the idea of them being lovers is simply a non-starter."
Fawcett, from Orpington, Kent, began his royal career as a footman to The Queen in 1981 and rose to become Charles's personal assistant. His job, as Charles's favourite aide, included organising the Prince's social diary and entertaining. But his influence stretched far wider, prompting false stories about him preparing the royal toothbrush. However, the Prince did once say: "I can manage with just about anyone, except for Michael." Royal observers commented that as Fawcett grew closer to the Prince over the years he began aping his master.
The two were constantly pictured side-by-side. And Fawcett was spotted picking up Charles's mannerisms - including holding his hands together behind his back as he spoke - and copying his wardrobe.
When the Prince almost lost his closest aide in 1998 after three staff member complained of his "bullying" both men wept. Fawcett - accused by other servants of "throwing his weight around" - apparently had his job saved by Camilla. A week later he was promoted to the Prince's personal assistant. And Charles struggled to cope when Fawcett was forced to resign earlier this year over the royal gifts-for-sale scandal.
As Sir Michael Peat was preparing his report into Charles's household, the Prince was said by friends to be phoning his servant twice a day. And after his valet - dubbed Fawcett The Fence because he sold unwanted royal gifts - quit his post, the Prince retained him as a freelance organiser.
Fawcett, who was given a £500,000 pay-off, still lives with wife Debbie and their two children in a £450,000 grace-and- favour home in West London. After his aide's resignation, Charles said: "I am enormously grateful to Mr Fawcett for all he has done for me over the years and I wish him well in his new business." The Prince's loyalty to disgraced Fawcett was further shown when the former valet was given a key role in the refurbishment of Clarence House - the former home of the Queen Mother, now used by Charles.
The Sunday Mirror has also learned that Fawcett is still so involved in arranging Charles's life he has an office within the prince's new London home, Clarence House.
Fawcett also has the freedom to come and go at the Queen Mother's former residence, even when Charles is not there.
"The space he's been allocated is not called 'Michael Fawcett's office' but it's there for his use and his use alone, and he's there a lot of the time," said a Palace source. "You can hardly miss him. He's a big man with a big booming voice. You can see him with the phone pressed to his ear and his feet on the desk." Fawcett also recently handled Prince Charles's party to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation, and organised Prince William's 21st birthday bash at Windsor Castle earlier this year.
In return, Charles has been backing Fawcett's efforts to win a £1million contract in Greece to organise catering for the Athens Olympics next summer.
As controversy raged back home last week, Fawcett was staying at a £4million hideaway in Athens owned by one of Prince Charles's closest friends, Gianna Angelopoulos.
Fawcett has used his close links to the Prince, his former boss, to form a bond with Gianna, the fiery leader of the Games' organising committee which makes sure the city is prepared for the massive sports event next year.
Fawcett, 41, is bidding to provide food for scores of VIPs attending a spectacular opening ceremony.
He is also staging a string of private parties and banquets for Gianna, 47, and her husband Theodore, a shipping tycoon worth £200million.
The well-known Greek couple - often seen at celebrity parties - invited Prince Charles and Camilla to their £4million home in Chelsea, West London, when they lived in the UK three years ago.
But when Gianna was appointed head of ATHOC 2004 - the group responsible for building new stadiums - they moved back to Athens.
The insider revealed: "He has made a formal bid for a contract likely to be worth up to £1million with the catering department of the Olympic Games 2004.
"He's bound to stand a great chance with his distinguished background."
After flying back to London, Fawcett yesterday refused to comment as left the family's grace-and-favour home in Hampton Hill, West London.
The former valet - dressed all in black - said: "My position is the same as it was yesterday. I've got nothing to say."
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