Mohammed Al Faye, the controversial Egyptian–born owner of Harrods, accused Philip of organizing the Paris car crash in August 1997 in which Diana and Al Fayed's son Dodi were killed.
Angry Prince removes Harrods royal seal
AP 13 January 2000
Prince Philip has removed his royal warrant, or seal of approval, from Harrods department store, whose owner has publicly accused the husband of Queen Elizabeth II of masterminding Princess Diana's death.
Buckingham Palace said that Philip's warrant was being withdrawn after more 40 years because of a "significant decline in the trading relationship" between the duke's household and the store, owned by Mohamed Al Fayed.
But news reports said the duke was angered by remarks made by Al Fayed when lawmaker Neil Hamilton sued him for libel late last year.
Giving evidence at the High Court, the controversial Egyptian–born tycoon accused Philip of organizing the Paris car crash in August 1997 in which Diana and Al Fayed's son Dodi were killed.
Investigators say the car crash was an accident. But Al Fayed maintains the royal family, particularly Philip, arranged the crash because they did not like Diana dating an Egyptian.
A spokesman for Harrods said the store had received a letter from Buckingham Palace on Thursday saying the warrant will be withdrawn. But he said the letter made no reference to Al Fayed's remarks in court.
The store now has to the end of the year to have the duke's crest removed from the front of the store and from its stationery and packaging.
Interviewed after Hamilton lost his libel suit, Al Fayed made light of the prospect that he might lose the duke's warrant.
"If they want to take away royal warrants, it makes no difference," he said.
Al Fayed's spokesman, Laurie Mayer, said the commercial consequences for the store in upscale Knightsbridge would be "negligible."
Al Fayed has twice been refused a British passport because of questions about his honesty and his admission that he put legislators, including Hamilton, on his payroll.
But Harrods has had the duke's Royal Warrant since 1956 and currently also holds prestigious warrants from the queen, Queen Mother Elizabeth and Prince Charles.
The warrants come up for review every five years and are renewed depending on how much the shop is being used by that member of the royal family.
Warrants from the queen and Prince Charles are due to be reviewed next year.
Investigators say the car crash was an accident. But Al Fayed maintains the royal family, particularly Philip, arranged the crash because they did not like Diana dating an Egyptian.
A spokesman for Harrods said the store had received a letter from Buckingham Palace on Thursday saying the warrant will be withdrawn. But he said the letter made no reference to Al Fayed's remarks in court.
The store now has to the end of the year to have the duke's crest removed from the front of the store and from its stationery and packaging.
Interviewed after Hamilton lost his libel suit, Al Fayed made light of the prospect that he might lose the duke's warrant.
"If they want to take away royal warrants, it makes no difference," he said.
Al Fayed's spokesman, Laurie Mayer, said the commercial consequences for the store in upscale Knightsbridge would be "negligible."
Al Fayed has twice been refused a British passport because of questions about his honesty and his admission that he put legislators, including Hamilton, on his payroll.
But Harrods has had the duke's Royal Warrant since 1956 and currently also holds prestigious warrants from the queen, Queen Mother Elizabeth and Prince Charles.
The warrants come up for review every five years and are renewed depending on how much the shop is being used by that member of the royal family.
Warrants from the queen and Prince Charles are due to be reviewed next year.
