Royals British Royal Family British Royal Family News Police Launch Inquiry Into Prince Charles's Charity Following Cash-for-Honors Allegations The Prince’s Foundation is cooperating with Metropolitan Police following reports that honors and British citizenship were sought on behalf of a Saudi businessman in exchange for financial donations By Simon Perry Simon Perry Simon Perry is a writer and correspondent at PEOPLE. He has more than 25 years’ experience at PEOPLE covering the royals, human interest and celebrity. People Editorial Guidelines Published on February 16, 2022 08:49AM EST Prince Charles. Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Prince Charles's charity is facing more difficult questions amid an ongoing inquiry into cash-for-honors allegations. The Metropolitan Police announced on Wednesday that detectives have launched an investigation following allegations that donations to the charity were made to secure official honors and British citizenship for a Saudi businessman. The Prince's Foundation was rocked by the allegations that first surfaced in newspapers last September. The charity, a branch of which was visited by Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Kate Middleton earlier this month, is cooperating with the inquiry, PEOPLE understands. There have been no arrests, Scotland Yard said in a statement. A spokesperson for The Prince's Foundation said, "It would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing investigation." Prince Charles' Charity Chairman Resigns Over 'Misconduct' Claims from Six-Figure Donation The investigation is looking into allegations of offenses under "the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925," Scotland Yard said. "The decision follows an assessment of a September 2021 letter. This related to media reporting alleging offers of help were made to secure honours and citizenship for a Saudi national," the statement continued. "The Special Enquiry Team has conducted the assessment process which has included contacting those believed to hold relevant information. "Officers liaised with The Prince's Foundation about the findings of an independent investigation into fundraising practices. The Foundation provided a number of relevant documents. "These documents were reviewed alongside existing information. The assessment determined an investigation will commence." Prince Charles. Samir Hussein/Pool/WireImage On Wednesday, Charles's office reiterated their statement from September, saying, "The Prince of Wales had no knowledge of the alleged offer of honours or British citizenship on the basis of donation to his charities." In September, it emerged that the Prince's Foundation had launched an inquiry of its own. The Sunday Times and The Mail on Sunday reported allegations that the chief executive of the foundation, Michael Fawcett, helped support a campaign for official honors for Saudi businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! In November, Fawcett, who was once one of Charles's closest aides having risen from the Queen's footman to the prince's valet and ultimately running the charity, resigned from his post amid the ongoing inquiry.