A powerful business figure once closely linked to Prince William has abruptly stepped down — and the reason has sent fresh shockwaves through royal circles.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the longtime chairman of global ports giant DP World, has resigned after newly released Justice Department files revealed disturbing exchanges between him and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The fallout is already rippling toward the future king.
According to documents made public in the latest Epstein file release, Bin Sulayem and Epstein were in contact for years. The files show email exchanges that allegedly included pornographic material and links to sex worker services.
One 2009 message has drawn particular outrage. In it, Epstein reportedly wrote to Bin Sulayem: “I loved the torture video.”
While the DOJ redacted the recipient’s name, Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna publicly identified Bin Sulayem as the person referenced in the exchange. Screenshots of the message quickly spread online, igniting backlash.
The controversy didn’t stop there.
Investigators say Epstein used Bin Sulayem’s name to help purchase a second private Caribbean island in 2016 after the seller reportedly refused to deal directly with Epstein. The Dubai executive has denied knowing he was used as a front.
The problem for Prince William? DP World wasn’t just any corporation. It was a founding partner of the prince’s environmental initiative, the Earthshot Prize.
Launched in 2020, the Earthshot Prize has positioned William as a global climate leader. DP World contributed at least $1.3 million to the project, and William appeared alongside Bin Sulayem at multiple events — including the Earthshot Innovation Showcase at Dubai Expo 2020.
Photos show the two touring DP World’s London Gateway facility in 2016 and meeting again in Dubai in 2022.
Now, anti-monarchy campaign group Republic says it has filed a formal complaint with the U.K. Charity Commission, questioning Earthshot’s funding ties. The Commission has reportedly confirmed it is assessing the concerns.
Kensington Palace has not directly addressed the Bin Sulayem resignation but said this week that William and Princess Kate are “deeply concerned by the continuing revelations” surrounding Epstein-related disclosures, adding that their “thoughts remain focused on the victims.”
This latest embarrassment lands as the monarchy is still reeling from the long-running scandal involving Prince Andrew.
Andrew was stripped of his royal titles after his own association with Epstein exploded into global controversy. Newly surfaced files have also alleged that, during his time as a U.K. trade envoy, he shared confidential materials with Epstein — claims that have only intensified scrutiny of royal judgment.
While there is no suggestion that Prince William had knowledge of any wrongdoing by Bin Sulayem, critics say the optics are troubling.
For a royal family working hard to modernize its image — and for a future king trying to present himself as a clean break from past scandals — the timing could not be worse.
The big question now: Will this resignation contain the damage, or is another prolonged royal headache just beginning?
Wonder who William was doing.