Queen aware’ of Mohamed al-Fayed’s reputation before Diana holiday – Royals live

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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”

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.”

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.”

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.”