Princess Diana's Former Butler Claims Mohamed Al Fayed Proposed Sex With Her

Princess Diana's Former Butler Claims Mohamed Al Fayed Proposed Sex With Her

Billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed, who has been accused of multiple harassments and rapes, offered Princess Diana sex, the princess's former butler Paul Burrell told The Sun.

Not long ago, more than 20 former employees of the largest London department store Harrods reported harassment and sexual violence by its former owner Mohamed Al-Fayed. A documentary film called "Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods" was released about this.

In the wake of these discussions, Princess Diana's former butler, who worked for the princess from 1987 to 1997, recalled that Al Fayed, with whose son the princess is believed to have had a romantic relationship, had made inappropriate advances to her: "I was in the car when she came running out of his office shaking and told me - these are her exact words - that Mohammed had said, 'I want you to marry my son because in Egyptian tradition the father comes first. I will sleep with you.'" Princess Diana, the butler recalls, was outraged: "Diana was outraged by the idea of ​​giving in to him. He was setting the stage with his comment and he was dead serious. He thought it was his right and that it was really going to happen - that he was really going to sleep with the Princess of Wales. And that was always in the back of her mind throughout her affair with Dodi."

According to Paul Barrell, it was Mohamed al-Fayed who influenced the development of his son's relationship with the royal. He showered Diana with gifts, for example, he gave her gadgets and computer games for her children. However, the princess refused to accept the gifts. Al-Fayed also allowed Diana to use a secret entrance to Harrods, which helped her avoid unnecessary publicity while shopping.

"We were all focused on Dodi and the princess. But the real puppeteer was Mohammed. He wanted nothing more than to be associated with the royal family. He bought a yacht specifically for the holidays so that Dodi could entertain Diana in private. He spent millions trying to lure her in, and his son was just a pawn in the game," Burrell said.

He also claimed to have seen Al Fayed touch women inappropriately. "His hands were always wandering. He would touch women without asking their permission. But he couldn't go too far with Diana. She always had the upper hand because he couldn't afford to lose her. Unfortunately, most of the women who worked for him didn't have that privilege." He said he couldn't touch Princess Diana in the same way, but he did stroke her arm and put his arm around her waist. The former butler suggested that Princess Diana would have supported the victims of his harassment and violence.

Recall that more than 20 former Harrods employees accused the Egyptian-born businessman of sexualized violence and intimidation while he ran the store from 1984 until its sale in 2010. The billionaire himself died last year, 26 years after the tragic death of his son Dodi, who was romantically involved with Princess Diana.

More in the section Celebrity

Pat McAfee with Kirk Herbstreit on College GameDay in 2023
Celebrity

Pat McAfee’s first acting role came with secret coaching from Bradley Cooper and Tom Cruise

The ESPN star makes his movie debut as a Marines drill instructor in Peter Berg’s The Mosquito Bowl after catching Hollywood’s eye on College GameDay.

Jenna Ortega in profile at a public event
Celebrity

Jenna Ortega fronts Vogue’s November 2026 cover in a white satin Dior slip dress

Jenna Ortega is Vogue’s November 2026 cover star, photographed barefoot in a white satin Dior slip dress by Szilveszter Makó.

Kylie Jenner posing for a portrait
Celebrity

Kylie Jenner wants Timothée Chalamet to propose but he's 'not there yet'

Kylie Jenner is ready to get engaged to Timothée Chalamet, but a source says the actor loves her yet simply isn’t “there yet.”

Kim Kardashian posing for a portrait
Celebrity

Kim Kardashian transforms into North West with blue hair and skull jewelry for Halloween

Kim Kardashian dressed up as her 13-year-old daughter North West, even dyeing her hair the same shade of blue.

Miley Cyrus singing into a microphone outdoors on a talk show stage
Celebrity

Miley Cyrus says Dolly Parton sent a sign: 'the entire hallway started flickering'

At the Hollywood Bowl, Miley Cyrus told 18,000 fans she asked Dolly Parton to flicker the lights — and the hallway lit up.

Taylor Swift in 2007
Celebrity

Taylor Swift debuts 'The Fate of Ophelia' live at the Academy Museum Gala

The singer gave her chart-topping single its first live performance in a strapless pale blue Dior gown, alongside 'Love Story' and 'Blank Space.'

Miley Cyrus performing on the Today show
Celebrity

Miley Cyrus cries honoring Dolly Parton at Hollywood Bowl debut: 'We are eternal'

Miley Cyrus broke down during her Hollywood Bowl debut while remembering her late godmother Dolly Parton, who died in August at 80.

Golden retriever lying on grass looking at the camera
Celebrity

Taylor Swift's viral glitter freckles now exist for dogs — Khloé's pup is first

Fazit's glitter freckles made famous by Taylor Swift now come as pet patches, and Khloé Kardashian's dog Peppermint is the first famous pup to try them.

Selena Gomez at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival
Celebrity

Selena Gomez wore two custom Prada gowns to host the Rare Impact Fund Gala

The Only Murders in the Building star, 34, opened in beaded cherry-red, then switched to a shimmering champagne fringe gown at her youth mental-health benefit.

Sydney Sweeney posing on a red carpet at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival
Celebrity

Sydney Sweeney wears dark brown wig at Santa Monica Pier — fans ask 'Hannah Montana?'

Sydney Sweeney swapped her blond hair for a dark brown wig with bangs during a Santa Monica Pier outing — and some fans barely recognized her.


Lionel Messi in an Inter Miami pink kit during a match
Sport

Messi says he’d rather be remembered for fighting than his eight Ballon d’Ors

A golden whole roast turkey on a fall-season table
Food

Alton Brown's brined turkey swaps the fridge for a cooler — no basting required

Pedro Pascal at SXSW 2025
Entertainment

Pedro Pascal learned cello for a year before ‘Behemoth!’ was even greenlit

Pat McAfee with Kirk Herbstreit on College GameDay in 2023
Celebrity

Pat McAfee’s first acting role came with secret coaching from Bradley Cooper and Tom Cruise

Ariana Grande posing at a Wicked promotional event
Lifestyle

Ariana Grande chopped her ponytail into a glossy flicked-out bob

Boats moored in Crescent Harbor in Sitka Sound, Alaska
Travel

Sitka cruise guide: bears, raptors and the town America bought for $7.2m

Mike Ditka speaking at the 2008 NFL Experience
Sport

Bears hand out free Mike Ditka mustaches to 60,000 fans in Soldier Field tribute

A whole roasted turkey on a platter
Food

How long to cook a turkey by weight — the chart and the pull-at-150°F trick

Charli xcx at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival
Entertainment

Charli xcx lands a Martin Scorsese cameo in ‘What Happens at Night’

Jenna Ortega in profile at a public event
Celebrity

Jenna Ortega fronts Vogue’s November 2026 cover in a white satin Dior slip dress

Catherine, Princess of Wales, smiling in a portrait
Lifestyle

Kate Middleton’s new ‘teak brunette’ hair is fall’s next big color trend

Karon Beach on Phuket island, Thailand — turquoise sea, white sand and sun loungers.
Travel

Thailand’s best hotels: Capella Bangkok, Amanpuri and Four Seasons lead the list

Serena Williams serving during a match at Wimbledon
Sport

Serena Williams misses 2027 Tennis Hall of Fame ballot after 2026 comeback

A Starbucks Frappuccino topped with whipped cream
Food

Starbucks’ Black Cat Frappuccino launches October 22 and tastes like chocolate mousse

Tom Cruise smiling on a red carpet
Entertainment

Tom Cruise to receive AFI Life Achievement Award in 2027 after a $13 billion career

Kylie Jenner posing for a portrait
Celebrity

Kylie Jenner wants Timothée Chalamet to propose but he's 'not there yet'

Billie Eilish performing on stage at Pukkelpop Festival in 2019
Lifestyle

Billie Eilish and Finneas designed a John Hardy jewelry line — from $195

Aerial view of Minato City, Tokyo skyline with tower buildings
Travel

Japan’s permanent residency now costs 20x more and demands a B1 language test

LeBron James in action during an NBA game
Sport

LeBron James chose Nike's $90M over Reebok and now has 24 signature shoes

Fried mozzarella cheese sticks served with dipping sauce
Food

Chili’s new Chicken Parm Big Crispy stacks fried mozzarella on fried chicken