Former Royal Security Head Warned Royal Family About Mohamed al Fayed’s Reputation Before Diana’s Holiday
The former head of royal protection, Dai Davies, has come forward with a warning he gave to the Royal Family about Mohamed al Fayed’s reputation before Princess Diana took her sons on holiday with him. Mohamed al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods who passed away last year at the age of 94, was recently described as a “monster” by lawyers representing 37 alleged sexual abuse victims.
The women claim that Fayed raped and sexually assaulted them while they worked at the luxury department store, with allegations of him prowling the shop floor and selectively targeting women to bring to his executive suite. Dai Davies revealed that concerns about Fayed’s reputation were known as far back as the 1990s, and he personally raised these concerns with the Royal Family.
In a recent interview with Sky News, Dai Davies expressed his unease about Princess Diana taking her sons on holiday with Fayed, stating, “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.”
Diana’s Holiday with Mohamed al Fayed
In July 1997, just a month before her tragic death, Princess Diana embarked on a holiday with Mohamed al Fayed and his wife to their residence in St Tropez. She brought along her two young sons, a vacation that Prince Harry later described as “heaven” in his memoir “Spare.” Dai Davies shared his dismay at the situation, revealing that he was aware of some of the allegations surrounding Fayed at that time.
“I was horrified because I was aware of some of the allegations even then that were going around,” said Mr Davies. “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.”
Despite Davies’ warnings, he was informed that “Her Majesty is aware,” and as history unfolded, Princess Diana tragically passed away shortly after the holiday. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the allegations raised against Fayed.
Concerns at Fulham FC
Fulham FC, a football club previously owned by Mohamed al Fayed from 1997 to 2013, has expressed deep concern over the numerous sexual abuse allegations against the businessman. The Premier League club stated that they are currently investigating whether any individuals associated with the club have been affected by Fayed’s alleged behavior.
Gaute Haugenes, who managed Fulham FC’s women’s team from 2001 to 2003, disclosed that additional precautions were taken to safeguard female players from Fayed. “We were aware he liked young, blonde girls. So we just made sure that situations couldn’t occur. We protected the players.”
A former Harrods employee recounted her unsettling experience with Fayed, where she was summoned to his apartment for a “job review” at the age of 19. She described feeling petrified as the door was locked behind her, and she was subjected to unwelcome advances from Fayed.
Harrods’ Response to Allegations
In response to the allegations of abuse, Harrods issued a statement expressing utter dismay and extended apologies to Fayed’s alleged victims. The department store has launched a webpage on its site, inviting former employees to come forward with any allegations they may have.
Additionally, a legal team handling a civil claim against Harrods for purportedly failing to provide a safe work environment for its employees is committed to seeking justice for the victims ensnared in what they describe as a “vast web of abuse.”
As more details surrounding Mohamed al Fayed’s alleged misconduct continue to surface, the repercussions of his actions are being felt across various sectors, including the Royal Family, the business world, and the sports industry. The revelations serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in safeguarding individuals from harm and exploitation.
