Earlier this month, Prince Michael of Kent, Queen Elizabeth’s cousin, returned his Russian Order of Friendship conferred to him by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev in 2009 in response to the escalating conflict in Ukraine, Insider reports. However, when asked if the prince will still continue doing business in Russia, the spokesperson declined to comment. According to CBC News, the medal is “the highest decoration that can be awarded to a non-Russian citizen”. So, what else do we know about Prince Michael, the often overlooked senior royal, and what are some of the controversies he has faced? 1. His succession and ties to Russia Prince Michael forfeited his succession to the British throne when, in 1978, he married Baroness Marie Christine von Reibnitz (Princess Michael) who is a Catholic. This is a consequence of the 1701 Act of Settlement, which states that members of the royal family cannot remain in the line of succession if they marry or become a Catholic. Why will Camilla be queen when Prince Philip wasn’t a king? Before, Prince Michael was 15th in the line of succession. In 2015, he and his children were reinstated and the prince is now 52nd in line. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Russian Imperial Dynasty (@romanov.hist) Aside from his British ties, the prince is also related to Tsar Nicholas II, the last Romanov emperor, through his grandmother, according to his biography. The prince travelled to St. Petersburg last July to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Romanov family execution, according to Town and Country . 2. He lived in a US$7.16 million house Prince Michael and his family used to live in a US$7.6 million (£5.75 million) house, however, they sold it in 2006. The prince’s former house was rumoured to be haunted , but that was not the reason he gave up his country mansion, Nether Lypiatt Manor. Daily Express reported that the non-working royals used to pay reduced rent at Kensington Palace, but when subsidised rates were exposed, they were forced to make a financial decision. The huge costs and rent payments prompted them to sell the property and move to Kensington Palace full-time. 3. He speaks four languages Educated at the prestigious Eton College, Prince Michael is familiar with many languages. He is fluent in French and has working knowledge of German and Italian. He holds the distinction of being the first member of the royal family to learn Russian and is even a qualified interpreter of the language. Meet India Hicks, Prince Charles’ cousin and Princess Diana’s bridesmaid 4. He earns his own living through his business Prince Michael has formally represented the queen on state occasions abroad but he does not receive royal allowances. Therefore, he is permitted by the queen to earn his own living. According to the prince’s bio, he is the chairman of his own private company, providing consultancy in the numerous sectors he supports. 5. He and his family have faced controversies Last year, Prince Michael was accused of using his royal status to gain profit and selling access to Vladimir Putin, according to a Sunday Times report. 7 things to know about Monaco’s ‘Pink Palace’, home of Princess Charlene However, this isn’t the first controversy the prince has faced. In 2018, Aatish Taseer, former boyfriend of Prince Michael’s daughter, Lady Gabriella, alleged in a Vanity Fair article that the princess did drugs and skinny-dipped in the Buckingham Palace pool. He also claimed that Princess Michael had two black sheep named Venus and Serena. Want more stories like this? Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter .