A modern art gallery linked to Princess Eugenie will stand trial in 2028 for allegedly breaching Russian sanctions.
Hauser & Wirth, based in London‘s Savile Row, allegedly made available a luxury good to a person connected with Russia, namely George Condo’s Escape from Humanity (2021).
Princess Eugenie, 35, has been an associate director at the gallery since 2015.
A spokesperson for the gallery has said that Princess Eugenie is not involved.ย ย
Hauser & Wirth are charged with making available a luxury good between 14 April and 31 December 2022.
The London-based art shipping company Artay Rauchwerger Solomons is also accused of breaching the ban on the supply of luxury items between August and December 2022.
The company, formerly known as Art Logistics Limited, was placed in voluntary liquidation last year.
A spokesman for Hauser & Wirth has said the gallery ‘strongly contests’ the charge.
Princess Eugenie pictured on the Hauser & Wirth stand at a Paris art festival in 2022
Hauser & Wirth, along with an art transport firm, is accused of making available the painting Escape From Humanity by American artist George Condo to a person connected with Russiaย
Hauser & Wirth art gallery is based on Savile Row in Mayfair (pictured). It also has another UK gallery in Somerset and others across the globe
Judge Tony Baumgartner set a provisional trial date of 10 January 2028 with a time estimate of up to ten days.
The plea and trial preparation hearing was adjourned until 5 May next year.
Hugo Keith KC, representing Hauser & Wirth, described the case as not ‘particularly complex’ and the issues involved as ‘minimal’.
The UK’s department for international trade had imposed a ban on the export of luxury goods worth more than ยฃ250 to Russia in April 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The charges were brought after an investigation sparked by HM Revenue & Customs.