One of the most iconic images of the late Diana, Princess of Wales is when she was captured wearing a turquoise swimming costume, whilst sitting on the edge of a diving board on the Jonikal, the boat owned by Mohamed Al-Fayed.

The image was taken shortly before her death in August 1997 when she was on holiday with Mr Al Fayed's son, Dodi Fayed.

In the first installment of The Crown series six, fans of the royals get to see what might have happened “behind closed doors” as Diana was invited by former Harrod’s owner Mr Al Fayed to holiday in Saint-Tropez with Prince William and Harry in July 1997.

“Most of what the public knows of Diana’s vacations with the Fayeds that summer in 1997 is limited to blurry paparazzi shots from afar,” reports Elle.

“In The Crown’s sixth season, Peter Morgan attempts to dramatize what might’ve happened behind closed doors.”

Who is Mohamed Al Fayed?

Mr Al Fayed took control of Harrods in 1985 after purchasing the Ritz hotel in Paris in 1979.

In 2010, he decided to sell Harrods to Qatar’s royal family for a reported £1.5 billion.

The famous department store in London is now owned by Harrods Ltd, a company currently owned by the state of Qatar via its sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority.

Mr Al Fayed was known for being the owner of Fulham FC between 1997 and 2013 but three years after selling Harrods, he sold Fulham FC, to Shahid Khan, owner of American football team Jacksonville Jaguars, who has now owned the club for 10 years.

The Westmorland Gazette: Mr Al Fayed accompanied the late Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Windsor Horse ShowMr Al Fayed accompanied the late Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Windsor Horse Show (Image: Martyn Hayhow/PA)

He was named the fourth richest person in Scotland on the Sunday Times Rich List 2023 with a fortune of £1.69 billion.

Who plays Mohamed Al Fayed in the Crown?

In The Crown, the character of businessman Mr Al Fayed is played by Salim Daw.

The 73-year-old was born in Bana, Israel and is known for his role in the royal series from 2016 as well as Gaza mon amour (2020) and Oslo (2021).

His son Dodi is played by actor and activist Khalid Abdalla who is known for starring in the BAFTA-nominated film United 93.

In real life, Dodi who was an Egyptian film producer and died alongside Diana in a car crash.

When did Mohamed Al Fayed die?

Mr Al Fayed died on August 30, as announced in a statement by his family at the time.

In a statement released by Fulham FC, they said: “Mrs Mohamed Al Fayed, her children and grandchildren wish to confirm that her beloved husband, their father and their grandfather, Mohamed, has passed away peacefully of old age on Wednesday August 30, 2023.

“He enjoyed a long and fulfilled retirement surrounded by his loved ones. The family have asked for their privacy to be respected at this time.”