THE Royal Family may withdraw their seal of approval from Harrods as a result of Diana’s affair with owner’s son Dodi Fayed.
The top people’s store – with its long and proud tradition of royal patronage – may be about to lose the Prince of Wales royal crest.
Senior Palace courtiers are ready to advise the Queen that she should refuse to renew the prestigious royal warrants for the Knightsbridge store when they come up for review in February.
It would be a huge blow to the ego of store owner Mohamed Al Fayed – and would infuriate Diana, who was yesterday understood to be still with Dodi aboard his yacht, near the Italian island of Sardinia. But the Royal Family are furious about the frolics of Di, 36, and Dodi, 41, which they believe have further undermined the monarchy.
Prince Philips, in particular, has made no secret as to how he feels about his daughter-in-law’s latest man, referring to Dodi as an "oily bed-hopper."
At Balmoral next week, the Queen will preside over a meeting of The Way Ahead Group where the Windsors sit down with their senior advisers to discuss policy matters.
MI6 has prepared a special report on the Egyptian-born Fayeds which will be presented at the meeting.
The delicate subject of Harrods and its royal warrants is also expected to be discussed. And the Fayeds can expect little sympathy from Philip.
A friend of the Royals said yesterday: "Prince Philip has let rip several times recently about the Fayeds – at a dinner party, during a country shoot, and while on a visit to close friends in Germany.
"He’s been banging on about his contempt for Dodi and how he is undesirable as a future stepfather to William and Harry.
"Diana has been told in no uncertain terms about the consequences should she continue the relationship with the Fayed boy.
"Options must include possible exile, although that would be very difficult as when all is said and done, she is the mother of the future King of England.
"She has also been warned about social ostracism. But Diana’s attitude is if that means not having to deal with the royals and their kind, then she would be delighted."
There are some who believe Diana may be past caring and has decided to look towards those who can afford to keep her in the lifestyle to which she became accustomed.
The Fayed family have all the trappings of vast wealth… wherever it originated from.
And Dodi has told Diana what he has told many of his other beautiful girlfriends in the past: "It’s my father’s store and you can have what you want. Charge it to my account and I’ll just sign the bill."
But now the Royal Family may decide it’s time to settle up.