Egyptian Businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed Paid Spies For Info Of Princess Diana's Death: Report

Last Updated:June 23, 2025, 10:23 IST

Egyptian businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed reportedly paid millions to Egyptian secret service agents in exchange for information of the death of Princess Diana in 1997.

Egyptian businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed and Princess Diana. (Reuters/File)

Egyptian businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed, who was accused of rape and sexual assault by several women after his death in 2023, had paid millions to Egyptian secret service agents in exchange for information of the death of Princess Diana in 1997.

Al-Fayed, the owner of Harrods who died at the age of 94 in 2023, had channelled “some millions of pounds" through a network of holding companies and commercial businesses to fund agents and informants of the Egyptian general intelligence service, Mukhabarat, in London, according to a report by The Telegraph.

Princess Diana and Fayed’s eldest son Dodi Fayed, her partner were killed in a car crash on August 31, 1997, sparking an outpouring of shock and grief in the United Kingdom. A later investigation found that the driver, Henri Paul, was driving under the influence.

Al-Fayed reportedly wanted to receive confirmation from Egyptian secret service operatives about his belief that the British intelligence services had a hand in the fatal crash in the Alma tunnel.

‘Completely Unbalanced’

Citing a source with knowledge of the payments, the report said Mohamed Al-Fayed desperately wanted sensitive information of Dodi and Diana’s death, and was convinced that the British Royal Family had concerns over an Egyptian being the possible stepfather to the future king.

The Egyptian secret services told him that the British establishment had not liked her relationship with Dodi, but they told him that they had no information on Dodi and Diana’s deaths, the source said. Fayed was also warned about his public accusations of MI5 and MI6 having a role in their deaths.

“Al-Fayed’s manner after the killing of his son Dodi was completely unbalanced, and he was always shouting when speaking to the Egyptian intelligence officers, which made them not pay much attention to his requests," sources told The Telegraph.

His youngest son, Omar, 36, said his father’s documents on the subject of Dodi and Diana “were so huge they crossed continents".

Allegations Against Al-Fayed

More than 100 women have accused Al-Fayed of sexual abuse, and the youngest victim is believed to be 13 at the time. A number of allegations were made against the businessman while he was still alive. However, no criminal charges were brought against him.

Last year, the BBC aired a documentary titled Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods, which exposed troubling incidents that occurred during Mohamed Al-Fayed’s ownership. The film alleged that Harrods not only failed to act but also played a role in concealing abuse allegations.

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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News world Egyptian Businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed Paid Spies For Info Of Princess Diana's Death: Report