A man has been charged following a disturbing incident at one of London's most poignant landmarks, the memorial to Princess Diana inside the world-famous Harrods department store.
Michael Fogg, 64, is accused of removing floral tributes that had been left by members of the public in honour of the much-loved Princess of Wales. The alleged theft took place at the memorial, which features a bronze statue of Diana dancing with an albatross, alongside a photograph of her holding an engagement ring.
The incident was captured on the store's security cameras, leading to a swift response from the Metropolitan Police. Officers were called to the upmarket Knightsbridge store on the afternoon of Thursday, 18th April.
Fogg, of no fixed address, was subsequently charged with theft by finding. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, 20th April, to face the charge.
The memorial, commissioned by Harrods' former owner Mohamed Al-Fayed, whose son Dodi died alongside Diana in the 1997 Paris car crash, has long been a place of pilgrimage for admirers of the princess. The removal of tributes left there has been met with sadness and anger by the public.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed the charge, stating: "A man has been charged following a report of theft at a commercial premises in Brompton Road, SW3. Michael Fogg was charged on Friday, 19 April with theft by finding."
The case highlights the continued deep public affection for Princess Diana more than a quarter of a century after her tragic death. The memorial remains a sacred site for many, making the alleged actions all the more shocking to her countless admirers across the UK and beyond.
