Al Fayed Angry over Bishop of London's Diana Comments
The Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, has been heavily criticised by Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed after comments he made over Diana, Princes of Wales.
by Daniel Blake
Posted: Monday, September 3, 2007, 10:02 (BST)
The Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, has been heavily criticised by Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed after comments he made over Diana, Princes of Wales.
The father of Diana's partner Dodi Fayed, who died at her side in a tragic car crash in Paris in 1997, condemned Bishop Chartres for making a plea for media and public wrangling over Diana to cease.
Al Fayed is an Egyptian tycoon billionaire, and owner of famous London department store Harrods in Knightsbridge, as well as Premier League football team Fulham FC.
"Let it end here," Bishop Chartres urged the congregation at last Friday's memorial service for Diana - to which Al Fayed was not invited - which marked 10 years since she died aged 36.
Following the Bishop's plea, Al Fayed labelled Chartres a "stuffed shirt", indicating that next month's inquest, which the Egyptian has played a major role in, will be a tense affair.
At the service Princes William, now 25, and Harry, 22, both spoke, with Harry paying a moving tribute to his mother.
Al Fayed reportedly responded: "Prince Harry had the grace to acknowledge the suffering of other families who lost someone that night.
"This stuffed shirt of a clergyman should take lessons from the 22-year-old prince in how to behave. He certainly shouldn't have hijacked a memorial service dedicated to Diana, Princess of Wales, to let us know of his various personal opinions - for that's all they were."
He went on to condemn Bishop Chartres for asking those involved in the ongoing disputes to allow her memory to rest. He said: "He preached at us to let her memory rest, but how can that happen when the truth is still being covered up?"
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Added: Saturday, September 8, 2007, 6:22 (BST)
how can any forget, especially the family members, even when the truth comes out, it will be hard to forget. that concert was not the time to speak it was a time to celebrate, shatme on you bishop, there is a time and place for everything.
ada, s.f ca..
Added: Tuesday, September 4, 2007, 17:05 (BST)
Mr Al Fayed is right. Justice is justice. What we need is less media hype and more unhindered investigation. IF the media have a role to play, let them play it nobly and honourably, calling for truth and justice.
Things like this should not be forgotten, but no stone should be left unturned until the truth is out and made known for all.
David , Birmingham
Added: Monday, September 3, 2007, 16:25 (BST)
I took the Bishop's remarks to be entirely for the benefit of Charles and Camilla. In any event it was highly inappropriate for him to say his remarks echoed those of Prince Harry, who simply asked that his mother be remembered in a certain way, not forgotten. The Bishop struck me as a pompous and arrogant person, while the quiet gesture of William and Harry had already accomplished the goal of reconciliation.
Catherine, Chicago
