New book: Diana's brother describes uncomfortable incident with Mohamed Al-Fayed
In the book "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer writes that not only Dodi Al-Fayed but also his father Mohamed made unwanted advances toward the princess, echoing earlier claims by butler Paul Burrell.
A book set for release on September 22, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," reveals new details from Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer about the events of 1997, when Diana fell in love with Dodi Al-Fayed. Spencer writes that Diana disliked Mohamed Al-Fayed, even though the two had known each other for years, moving in similar circles of British high society.
According to Spencer, when the relationship between Dodi and Diana began in the summer of 1997, Mohamed Al-Fayed used the opportunity to get closer to the princess himself. The book describes an incident Diana recounted to her brother with disgust: Mohamed approached her, placed his hand on her buttocks and squeezed it, while making a sexually suggestive remark that in Egypt, the father-in-law goes first.
Echoes earlier accounts
This description aligns with claims made by Diana's butler Paul Burrell in his book "The Royal Insider," published in September 2025. According to Burrell, Diana told him that Al-Fayed had made a shocking proposal, saying he wanted her to marry Dodi and adding that in Egyptian tradition, the father goes first. Burrell quoted Diana as describing Mohamed Al-Fayed as frightening and repulsive.
Despite this, in 1997 Diana accepted Al-Fayed's invitation to vacation in the south of France, where, as later reported, a romantic relationship developed between her and Dodi. Dodi and Diana died in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997.
More serious allegations after death
Mohamed Al-Fayed, former owner of the Harrods department store and Fulham football club, died in 2023 at the age of 94. After his death, several former employees brought serious allegations against him of sexual harassment, abuse and rape during his time running Harrods. Al-Fayed can no longer respond to these allegations.
