Former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed dies aged 94
Mohamed Al-Fayed deeply cherished his relationship with the Princess of Wales, even prior to her relationship with his don Dodi Al Fayed.
Diana famously struck up a romantic relationship with Al-Fayed's eldest son Dodi in the last months of her life.
The Egyptian businessman, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 94, was later left anguished and heartbroken by the deaths of Diana and his son in the 1997 Paris car crash.
The former Harrods owner died just a day before the 26th anniversary of the tragic deaths of the pair, who were in the car together when the accident occurred.
Diana was known as a frequent visitor to Harrods during the 1980s.
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However, the pair did not meet until July 1986, when Mohamed and Dodi were introduced to Diana and Charles at a polo tournament sponsored by Harrods.
The pair kept in touch and grew closer over time.
In 1995, Michael Cole, then-director of public affairs at Harrods, told Vanity Fair: "Diana is so easy-going with Mohamed.
The former Harrods owner died just a day after the 26th anniversary of the tragic death in 1997 (Image: GETTY)
"Mohamed is not one of those who's overwhelmed by her. They spark off each other very well."
When Diana and Charles divorced in 1996, Al-Fayed offered to host Diana and her children as an escape from the tumultuous aftermath.
The tycoon invited Diana, along with her children Prince William and Prince Harry, to join his family on his yacht the Jonikal in the summer of 1997.
Diana struck up a romantic relationship with Al-Fayed's eldest son Dodi (Image: GETTY)
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Princess Diana embraces sons William and Harry on Royal Yacht Britannia
Al-Fayed had bought the 195ft yacht specifically for the holiday. Diana met Dodi on this fateful trip, and the pair soon became romantically involved.
Dodi and Diana took their own private cruise on the Jonikal later that summer.
Diana confirmed her relationship with Dodi was "her first serious romance" since her divorce
Following the tragic death of Diana and Dodi, the heartbroken father claimed the pair were killed by security guards.
Al-Fayed was left anguished by the deaths of Diana and his son in the Paris car crash (Image: GETTY)
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This allegation resulted in the Harrods store being stripped of its four royal warrants — the right to declare that a company supplies goods by appointment to the Royal Family.
The crash was determined to be an accident by both British and French police investigations.
Al-Fayed funded a bronze statue of Dodi and Diana dancing, which sat in Harrods until it was reportedly returned to Al-Fayed in 2018.
Mr Al Fayed is survived by his wife Heini, 68, and four children - Jasmine, 43, Karim, 40, Camilla, 38, and Omar, 35.
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