For decades, Omar Fayed and his family have been swamped by a tsunami of unwanted tabloid hoopla. It’s nothing new for a family whose name is as synonymous with luxury – the Fayeds owned – as it is with tragedy. The death in 1997 of Omar’s half-brother Dodi, who was killed in the car crash that also claimed the life of , sparked a forest fire of media glare and attendant conspiracy theories about Diana’s death, which still roil the internet.
But the latest headline-hogging family imbroglio involves one of Omar’s sisters, Camilla. A row that began in the gym of their billionaire father Mohamed Al Fayed’s mansion near Oxted, and has spiralled into a £100,000 high court battle that includes disputed accusations of drug taking and theft. ‘It’s sad and super silly what is going on with Camilla.
A classic trustafarian tragedy,’ Omar, 34, sighs ruefully. The tech and space entrepreneur accuses his sister of stealing his phone – along with the sensitive business information on it – a phone he says still hasn’t been returned. She accuses him of being a heavy drug user, which he strenuously denies.
A judge has implored the siblings to sort out the matter privately. Thus far, there seems to be no end in sight. Yet Omar seems unruffled as he strides out of his business headquarters in towards a nearby park.
He is wearing a grey Peak Performance tracksuit over his tall frame and an understated black Casio sports watch on his wrist. It’s not a look one might ex.