The fine was handed down in December to Princess de Bourbon de Deux Siciles, Camillia Crociani, after the Royal Court ruled that she had acted in contempt by failing to properly disclose the location of a $66m Gaugin painting (pictured top), among other valuable family assets.

The proceedings were linked to a previous landmark judgment in 2017, ordering that a $200m trust be reconstituted so that the Princess’s sister, Cristiana, could once again benefit from family wealth that had been redirected away from her. Cristiana had successfully argued that Princess Camilla and their former filmster mother conspired against her.

Shortly before the two-month deadline to pay the contempt fine, as well as £100,000 in costs to BNP, Princess Camilla asked the Court of Appeal if she could hold off paying until she has the chance to appeal – but the Court rejected the application.

The Princess’ legal team have now filed six grounds of appeal with the Court of Appeal who will hear the arguments in May 2021 in a bid to have the Royal Court’s decision quashed. 

In the meantime, Princess Camilla – who has previously been pictured with the likes of former President Donald Trump and singer Lionel Richie, and featured on the TV programme, ‘Inside Monaco: Playground of the Rich’ has started a payment plan for the £2m fine, and made the relevant payment on account. She has also made an application to formalise the payment plan which is due to be heard by the Court soon.  

In a statement, she said she was confident she had strong grounds for the appeal and would be able to successfully reclaim these funds after the hearing in May.