Blow for Mohammed Fayed as Harrods gets rid of tacky shrine to Diana and Dodi
HARRODS is getting rid of its “tacky” statue of Diana and lover Dodi Fayed.
Ex-owner Mohamed Fayed installed the 3ft bronze tribute to his son on the posh store’s lower ground floor.
Titled “Innocent Victims” it features the Princess and Dodi holding hands while releasing a dove.
But new bosses, the Qatari royal family, plan to wrench it out and return it to Mr Fayed, 88.
Dickie Arbiter, the Queen’s former press secretary, said last night: “I’m surprised it lasted for so long. I always thought it was tacky.”
Egyptian Mr Fayed set up a shrine to Diana and Dodi shortly after they died in a Paris car crash in 1997.
His outrageous claims that Prince Philip ordered Diana’s assassination to stop her marrying a Muslim led Buckingham Palace to withdraw the store’s prestigious royal warrant in 2000.
It is believed the Qataris are keen to win back favour with the Queen.
The first part of the memorial featured photos of the lovers. The statue was added in 2005. Mr Fayed sold the store for £1.5billion in 2010.
Harrods said yesterday that 20 years on was the right time, adding it did not want to distract from a new Diana statue at Kensington Palace commissioned by Princes Harry and William.
Store bosses said they had consulted Mr Fayed on the move but would not say how he felt. Royal biographer Penny Junor said: “It was personal to him and since it’s no longer his shop I think its fair the new owners give it back.”
The store is a listed building so the statue and shrine will need to be removed carefully to avoid damaging its architecture.
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The Fayed family said last night: “We are grateful to Qatar Holdings for preserving the Dodi and Diana memorial at Harrods until now.
“It has enabled millions to pay respects and remember these two remarkable people. It is now time to bring them home.” Kensington Palace declined to comment.