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.
Mr Al-Fayed, who passed away in 2023, is currently under investigation after 37 women accused the billionaire of rape and sexual abuse while working for him at the luxury London department store.
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.
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
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.”
Emma Guinness21 September 2024 00:00
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
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”
🏴🫡 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… pic.twitter.com/SaTTMfPpfs
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 20, 2024 Emma Guinness20 September 2024 16:20
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
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.”
Emma Guinness20 September 2024 11:00
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.”
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… pic.twitter.com/NLsWWyQ3nq
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 19, 2024 Emma Guinness20 September 2024 10:02
Through their Archewell Foundation, the Sussexes announced that they were writing to unregistered voters and encouraging them to use their voices.
A statement posted to their website read: “Using Vote Forward’s impactful letter-writing tool, our team wrote personalised letters encouraging unregistered voters to take a crucial step: registering to vote.”
It added: “At The Archewell Foundation, we recognise that civic engagement, no matter one’s political party, is at the heart of a more just and equitable world.”
While the couple have taken no political stance in the election, the move has been slammed by the Chairman of the Republican movement in the UK, Greg Swenson.
He told the Daily Mail: “By encouraging people to vote they are essentially ballot harvesting for Kamala.
“You don’t have to say it… you don’t need a bumper sticker, we know who you voted for.”
Emma Guinness20 September 2024 09:01
This comes following the revelation that the Duke of Sussex, 40, will visit his home country later this month for the Wellchild Awards in London. According to reports, he will not see his father, who will be in Scotland, on the visit.
British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital: “All royal family members want to be sure that their conversations remain private.
“King Charles is thoroughly fed up with Prince Harry assuming that he can [manage] his security requests. He will not be available 24/7 for Prince Harry’s demands.”
“However, King Charles loves Prince Harry as a father. [He] will make an effort to communicate with him, especially on important days.”
Emma Guinness20 September 2024 06:00
What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?
What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?
Diana’s brother celebrates charity’s 25th anniversary
William and Kate’s birthday message to Harry ‘just a company thing’
King Charles thanks Royal Navy for their service
Prince Harry ‘kept on a tight leash’
Prince Harry ‘hates’ King Charles for ‘nightmare scenario’
Prince William thanks those working to combat homelessness
Harry and Meghan accused of ‘harvesting votes for Kamala Harris’
King Charles ‘fed up’ with Prince Harry’s security requests