Bill Gates has reneged on his promise to donate £1 million to Charles’s charity, the Prince’s Trust. Instead Mr. Gates donated £250,000 worth of software which Microsoft sources claim to be worth £5 million.

Tea Will Not Be Served: Either way Charles’ mummy Queen Elizabeth was not very happy with Mr. Gates. Mr. Gates had agreed in principle to give the money to the organization’s Business Program, which helps young people start their own companies. But negotiations between Microsoft and the Prince’s Trust broke down and the offer was abruptly withdrawn despite the software company being one of the charity’s patrons.

Insiders say Mr. Gates, intervened personally to block the donation after a trip to Britain in January. Microsoft insiders say the program was not “tightly focused enough around technology” to benefit its recipients and the software donation would help with that.

Microsoft spokesman: “Earlier this year, we had been in discussion about extending our involvement with the Prince’s Trust, including a potential financial commitment. After a great deal of consideration, we decided not to pursue that particular element of our co-operation. The spokesman denied that Bill Gates had any hand in the decision, stressing that it was made at a “local level”.

The Prince’s Trust: “The Prince’s Trust and Microsoft have been discussing a partnership to support young people through our program. While we are delighted to have received a gift of Microsoft software, we were disappointed that Microsoft decided not to pursue other aspects of the partnership”.