Al Fayed bans Prince Philip from Harrods
The Evening Standard © July 10, 2000
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Philip from Harrods
Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed has slapped a ban on the Duke of Edinburgh
visiting his store and will not be reapplying for Royal Warrants granted
by the Queen and Prince of Wales.
Mr Al Fayed has written to the Royal Family to tell them they are
welcome to shop in the Knightsbridge store - as long as they don't bring
the Duke along.
Earlier this year, the Duke announced his intention to withdraw his
Royal Warrant, which Harrods held since 1956, because of a decline in
his trading relationship with the store.
Without the warrant, the store cannot display his crest on its frontage,
carrier bags or stationery.
Royal Warrants from the Queen, held since 1955, and Prince of Wales,
held since 1980, both expire at the end of 2001 but Mr Al Fayed said
Harrods would not be reapplying for them.
All Royal Warrants would be removed from the store's Brompton Road
facade at the end of this summer, he said.
The royals had not bought anything in the store since December 1997 so
it would be "totally inappropriate" for Harrods to apply for renewal of
the warrants, he said.
"Since neither the Queen nor Prince Charles have shopped in Harrods for
several years, displaying the Royal Crest would be totally misleading
and hypocritical," said Mr Al Fayed.
"We are proud of the Harrods reputation as the world's finest store and
we naturally welcome discerning shoppers from all over the world.
"The Royal Family, with the exception of Prince Philip, are welcome to
shop at Harrods at any time."
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