Former Royal Chief Warned Palace About Al Fayed Before Diana’s Holiday

In a recent revelation, former Royal protection chief Dai Davies disclosed that he had issued a warning to the Palace regarding Mohamed Al Fayed prior to Princess Diana holidaying with the Egyptian businessman. This cautionary note echoes amid a wave of troubling allegations against Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods.

Five women have accused Al Fayed of rape, while over 30 others claim he committed various acts of sexual abuse. Following a press conference, a staggering additional 150 women have come forward with similar accusations. These claims were corroborated by a lawyer representing the alleged victims.

Davies, who was tasked with the safety of Queen Elizabeth II, highlighted that warnings about Al Fayed’s character were exchanged as early as the 1990s. The concerns became particularly pressing when Diana, accompanied by her sons Prince William and Prince Harry, planned a holiday with Al Fayed in St Tropez.

The former head of protection was reportedly aware of various rumors and allegations circulating about Al Fayed at the time. Upon expressing his concerns to the Royal Family, Davies was assured that “Her Majesty is aware.” This intervention didn’t prevent the fateful trip to the French Riviera, which Diana and her children took mere months before her tragic death in July 1997. In his memoir “Spare,” Prince Harry fondly recalls this vacation, describing it as “heaven.”

Dai Davies expressed his horror at the prospect of a relative associating with Al Fayed, particularly given the nature of the allegations that were already circulating then. Buckingham Palace, however, has not commented on these revelations or on the allegations against Al Fayed.

In the aftermath of these disclosures, former employees of Harrods have called for the department store’s management to be scrutinized for alleged complicity in facilitating Al Fayed’s misconduct. These accusations have been further explored in the BBC documentary “Al-Fayed: Predator At Harrods,” which features testimonies from survivors and those with evidence about the businessman’s alleged misconduct.

One former Harrods employee, who chose to remain anonymous, detailed the culture of enabling that allegedly existed within the luxury store. This employee described being groomed at a young age, with leaders within the store turning a blind eye to Fayed’s behavior. In response, Harrods has strongly condemned the allegations, emphasizing they occurred under the sole purview of Al Fayed and pledging to address the claims promptly.

Bruce Drummond, a barrister for 37 alleged victims, criticized Harrods for suggesting victims settle claims through the store itself, pointing out a “huge conflict of interest.” He noted that this situation represents one of the most egregious instances of corporate sexual exploitation in history.

Harrods has distanced itself from the actions of Al Fayed, stating the company has evolved significantly since his ownership. Emphasizing a commitment to addressing historic allegations, Harrods assured that it is working to settle claims efficiently while avoiding protracted legal battles for the victims involved.