In a development that has captured significant attention, an art gallery associated with Princess Eugenie is facing legal scrutiny over allegations that it sold a piece of artwork to a Russian collector, potentially violating international sanctions.

The gallery in question, Hauser & Wirth, located in the prestigious Mayfair district, is accused of providing a “luxury good” to an individual linked to Russia. This action allegedly contravenes the sanctions put in place after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, led by President Vladimir Putin.

Princess Eugenie, though not an active member of the royal family in an official capacity, is listed as a ‘director’ for Hauser & Wirth on her Instagram and on the gallery’s website, which has drawn additional public interest to this case.

The artwork at the center of the controversy is “Escape from Humanity,” created by American artist George Condo. It is alleged that the gallery facilitated the sale of this painting to the collector sometime between April 14 and December 31, 2022.

This transaction purportedly took place after the Department for International Trade implemented a ban on exporting luxury goods valued over £250 to Russia, in response to the geopolitical tensions.

Additionally, Artay Rauchwerger Solomons Ltd, formerly known as Art Logistics Ltd, an art transportation company, is facing similar allegations of involvement in this transaction between August 10 and December 31, 2022.

It entered voluntarily liquidation at the end of last year, according to Companies House records.

Regulations introduced in April 2022 made supplying, delivering, or ‘making available’ luxury goods to, or for use in, Russia an offence: everything ranging from luxury cars and caviar through to sports equipment, musical instruments and art. 

Companies convicted of breaching the regulations can face an unlimited fine. 

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 Russia 

Eugenie has been involved with the gallery since 2015 and wrote in Instagram at the start of the year: ‘As some of you may know, I am a huge lover of art & a director at @hauserwirth’.

She does not, however, sit on the company’s London board and there is no suggestion that she was involved in the alleged making available of the painting to an individual connected with Russia. 

Eugenie has retained her royal title after her father, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, was stripped of his honorifics two weeks ago. 

The case was called at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. No pleas were entered and it was adjourned for a pre-trial hearing at Southwark crown court on December 16.

The prosecution was brought following an investigation by HMRC. A spokesperson  for the tax and customs body confirmed to the Mail that it had led an investigation into an alleged breach of sanctions. 

Prosecutors did not name the individual said to be connected to Russia in court documents. 

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

Hauser & Wirth has a gallery on Savile Row, Mayfair, and another in Somerset. It hopes to open a second Mayfair gallery in 2027. It also has galleries in the US, Hong Kong and across Europe.

A spokesperson said: ‘Our UK Gallery has been charged with one instance of making an item of artwork available to a non-sanctioned person connected with Russia.

‘We are fully committed to complying with all our legal obligations including sanctions. 

‘As the case is ongoing we are unable to comment further other than say we strongly contest this charge and intend to plead not guilty.’

Alongside sister Princess Beatrice, Eugenie has begun appearing in public as she seeks to put the scandal surrounding her father’s titles behind her.

Earlier this week, she met with members of the King’s Foundation’s ’35 under 35′ network, for which she is an official mentor.

She was also pictured alongside illustrious company including shoe designer Jennifer Chamandi for a dinner in London hosted by Alessandra de Osma, Princess Christian of Hanover.

The Princess, who married Prince Christian of Hanover in 2018, threw the glitzy bash to celebrate her fashion brand Philippa 1970 at Julie’s Restaurant in Notting Hill.

Beatrice was pictured visiting a research unit tackling premature births on Tuesday, and at an event at Battersea Power Station promoting Premature Birth Awareness Month – following a trade event in Saudi Arabia.