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The late Queen Elizabeth II was “aware” of Mohamed Al-Fayed’s reputation before Princess Diana embarked upon her short-lived romance with his son Dodi.
Former head of royal security Dai Davies claims to have warned the royal family about the former Harrods owner, with the first attempts to expose the businessman taking place in the mid-1990s.
Mr Davies told Sky News. “I was aware that he had tried very hard to ingratiate himself with the royal family and obviously knowing, as I did, the reputation he was alleged [to have] then, I was concerned, and I took the opportunity to inform the royal family.”
He claims he was told “Her Majesty is aware” in response to the revelation, and the princess proceeded to holiday with the businessman and his son a month before her untimely death.
“This was a man who I would be concerned [about] if a relative of mine was going on holiday with him, let alone the future king and his brother and their mother, Princess Diana,” Mr Davies admitted.
Lawyers for alleged victims of Fayed, who died in 2023, say around 150 people have come forward after a BBC documentary was released last week.
Key Points
- Late Queen was ‘aware’ of Mohamed Al-Fayed allegations, former security head claims
- Lord Robert Fellowes knew Mohamed Al-Fayed was ‘a dirty old man’
- Prince Harry to return to UK later this month
- Friend says Harry and Meghan are in an ‘extraordinary’ situation
- Harry ‘unlikely’ to see King Charles on UK visit
Lord Robert Fellowes knew Mohamed Al-Fayed was ‘a dirty old man’
A former head of royal security has claimed that the late Queen Elizabeth II’s private secretary, Lord Robert Fellowes, knew about Mohamed Al-Fayed’s reputation as a “dirty old man”.
Speaking to the Daily Mail following a slew of shocking allegations against the former Harrods owner, Dai Davies said that Fayed had a “salacious reputation” even in 1997 – the year Princess Diana and her son’s holidayed on his yacht.
He said: “In 1997 there were already allegations he had been bribing MPs to table questions in the House and he had a salacious reputation. There were concerns about his persona as a dirty old man.
“There were allegations I was aware of that Al Fayed had sexually assaulted women then paid them off. I had no compunction in warning the Queen about this individual.
“I advised the Queen, through Lord Fellowes, not to let the boys go away on holiday with him because of the allegations I was aware of – that he was a salacious attacker of women.
Mr Davies admitted: “Ultimately my advice was ignored. [Diana] flew off from Kensington Palace when Al Fayed sent his helicopter.”
Late Queen was ‘aware’ of Mohamed Al-Fayed allegations, former security head claims
The late Queen Elizabeth II was “aware” of the allegations against Mohamed Al-Fayed before Princess Diana and her sons went on holiday with the businessman.
Former head of royal security Dai Davies claims that he expressed his concerns about the former Harrods owner, currently under investigation for the alleged rape and abuse of 37 women, to the royal family.
Mr Davies told Sky News: “I was horrified because I was aware of some of the allegations even then that were going around.
“I was aware that he had tried very hard to ingratiate himself with the Royal Family and obviously knowing, as I did, the reputation he was alleged [to have] then, I was concerned, and I took the opportunity to inform the Royal Family.”
He was told that the monarch was “aware” in response to the revelation, and the princess and her children proceeded to holiday with Fayed and his son Dodi in Saint Tropez in July of 1997.
The Princess of Wales’s cancer journey: A timeline
Following the news that the Princess of Wales has completed her first work engagement since finishing her cancer treatment, The Independent has taken a look back at her cancer journey so far.
The Princess of Wales’s cancer journey: A timeline
The Princess of Wales has just completed her first work engagement of the year
Emma Guinness21 September 2024 06:00 1726884000What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?
Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like?
These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s virtual event on the future of the royal family.
Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler.
If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.
What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?
Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like? These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s virtual event on the future of the royal family. Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler. If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.
Emma Guinness21 September 2024 03:00 1726873200Diana’s brother celebrates charity’s 25th anniversary
Princess Diana’s brother, the Earl Spencer, has celebrated the 25th anniversary of her charity by inviting a choir to her family home.
This saw a whopping 350 members of the Rock Choir perform ‘Make Your Own Kind Of Music’ at Althorp House in Northamptonshire today.
The performance will be used in a new music video to raise funds for The Diana Award.
Prince William previously said that the charity was established “to reflect my mother’s belief that young people can change the world.”
William and Kate’s birthday message to Harry ‘just a company thing'
The Prince and Princess of Wales’s apparent birthday greeting to Prince Harry has been described as “just a company thing”.
It has been noted that the message, shared to the official Kensington Palace Twitter/X account, was not signed off as “W&C”, indicating that had not been personally written by the couple.
A palace insider told The Daily Beast: “It was just a company thing. Happy birthday blah blah blah.”
Emma Guinness20 September 2024 21:00 1726845613Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex! https://t.co/ZKJbYDmV6L
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 15, 2024
King Charles thanks Royal Navy for their service
King Charles took the opportunity to thank the Royal Navy for their service on an engagement in Scotland yesterday.
Footage of the event was shared by the royal family today with the following statement: “His Majesty paid a visit to @royalnavy crew members stationed in Scotland yesterday to thank them and their families for their service.
“As well as meeting serving personnel and their loved ones, The King boarded a Vanguard-class vessel and was given a tour.
“Before departing the submarine, His Majesty met the Submariners who have spent the greatest amount of time under the waves.
“Thank you to all our Armed Forces for your service! To read more about The King’s visit, head to http://Royal.uk”
Emma Guinness20 September 2024 16:20 1726830055🏴🫡 His Majesty paid a visit to @royalnavy crew members stationed in Scotland yesterday to thank them and their families for their service. 🇬🇧
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 20, 2024
As well as meeting serving personnel and their loved ones, The King boarded a Vanguard-class vessel and was given a tour.
Before… pic.twitter.com/SaTTMfPpfs
Prince Harry ‘kept on a tight leash'
A British socialite has claimed that Prince Harry is kept “on a tight leash” by Meghan Markle who allegedly stopped him from having a large 40th birthday party.
According to reports, the Duke of Sussex, 40, had a low-key celebration with his family in California.
Lady Victoria Hervey told GB News: “40 is still very young – men are quite juvenile at 40 years old. If he had a choice, he would have probably been in England with a lot of his old friends, but she’s not going to let him do that, is she?”
“I think she keeps him on a really tight leash. You can see it in him, he’s deprived of freedom. She’s sort of his therapist and his babysitter and he’s very, very dependent on her.”
Emma Guinness20 September 2024 12:00 1726826455🎂 Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today! pic.twitter.com/sAlSiV9EaZ
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 15, 2024
Prince Harry ‘hates’ King Charles for ‘nightmare scenario’
A royal author claims that Prince Harry “hates” King Charles for creating a “nightmare scenario” by leaving him out of his succession plans.
The Duke of Sussex, who recently turned 40, is currently fifth in line to the throne and the insider said he believes this gives him a right to be involved in future planning.
Harry moved to California with his family after stepping down as a working royal in 2020.
Royal author Tom Quinn told The Mirror: “Harry hates the fact that he is being left completely out of the succession planning, but he has only himself to blame.
“His choices illustrate perfectly the old adage - beware you get what you wish for. Harry wanted his freedom and he has it, but there is a price to pay and he is paying it.”
Prince William thanks those working to combat homelessness
Prince William thanked those working to combat homelessness at an engagement in Aberdeen yesterday (19 September).
The heir to the throne, 42, made the visit as part of his work with his Homewards project, which aims to end the problem.
A post on the official royal family Twitter/X account read: “A huge thank you to the incredible homelessness workers and organisations in Aberdeen for your unwavering dedication and tireless efforts.
“Your work in supporting those most vulnerable and commitment to making a difference in the community is truly inspiring. Together we can end homelessness.”
Emma Guinness20 September 2024 10:02 Newer1 / 6OlderA huge thank you to the incredible homelessness workers and organisations in Aberdeen for your unwavering dedication and tireless efforts. Your work in supporting those most vulnerable and commitment to making a difference in the community is truly inspiring.
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 19, 2024
Together we can end… pic.twitter.com/NLsWWyQ3nq
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