Catherine Ommanney, a former romantic interest of the Duke of Sussex, has fiercely denied allegations that she left a hotel in Majorca without settling a bill of nearly £450, branding the claims as false and attributing the incident to a hotel error.
Arrest and Allegations Over Unpaid Bill
The 53-year-old interior designer was arrested on suspicion of fraud after management at the three-star Playas del Rey Hotel in Santa Ponsa reported that she had not paid for her nine-day stay. The total charge came to €500, which is approximately £434.
Investigators stated that Ms Ommanney had provided a credit card which did not have sufficient funds to cover the cost. The incident led to her being taken into custody and appearing before a court in Palma, the capital of Majorca.
Ommanney's Forceful Rebuttal and 'Technical Error' Claim
Ms Ommanney has vehemently contested the accusations. In a strong rebuttal, she told the Majorca Daily Bulletin that the bill had been settled in full via a bank transfer, asserting that the hotel does not accept credit cards.
"The bill was paid. I have proof the bill was paid in full," she stated. "It was a technical error on the hotel’s behalf and I will be seeking an apology through the justice system." She described the day of her arrest, Sunday, as a "nightmare" and expressed her distress at being held in a "holiday cell."
Court Appearance and Ongoing Investigation
Photographs showed Ms Ommanney leaving a court cell with a Civil Guard officer for a closed-door hearing. It is understood she appeared under a surname from a previous marriage.
She was later released on bail pending further investigation. It was not immediately clear whether she gave testimony during the hearing. Her lawyer, when approached for comment, declined to discuss the case without client authorisation.
A receptionist at the Playas del Rey Hotel also stated that no one was available to comment on the situation when contacted by the press.
Background: Link to Prince Harry and Reality TV
Catherine Ommanney is known for being one of the original cast members of the first season of The Real Housewives of DC. In 2022, she told The Sun newspaper about a brief fling with Prince Harry in 2006, when she was 34 and he was 21. The Duke of Sussex has never publicly confirmed or commented on the alleged relationship.
Reflecting on their time together, she suggested that Prince Harry may have appreciated her older perspective, saying, "I had the patience to listen to what he said and give him some advice on life."
The matter remains under investigation by Spanish authorities.
