Harrods will discontinue displaying sculptures that portray Mohamed Fayed as an Egyptian pharaoh.

Mohamed al Fayed, the former owner of iconic London department store Harrods, passed away in 2023 at the age of 94. His tenure at Harrods, which he sold to Qatar Holdings in 2010, and his other main UK asset, Fulham FC, offloaded in 2013 to US businessman Shahid Khan, is now under scrutiny.

The Metropolitan Police is conducting an investigation into Mohamed al Fayed, with over 146 people coming forward to report a crime. The investigation is looking at individuals surrounding Fayed who could have enabled him to commit crimes spanning decades between 1977 and 2014. The investigation will also look into any potential facilitators and enablers, and whether any misconduct or corruption occurred.

Harrods' redress scheme, a program set up to address allegations of sexual abuse by its former owner, has seen more than 100 survivors come forward. The legal bill for compensating victims is escalating, leading Harrods to prepare to take legal action against the estate of Mohamed al Fayed.

In a bid to move away from the past, Harrods has submitted a planning application to renovate an Egyptian-themed hall. The proposed changes to the interior of the Grade II* listed building require careful planning, lengthy assessments, and close work with relevant authorities.

Controversially, the five-floor escalator features busts of Mohamed al Fayed depicted as a pharaoh. The application states that the busts are a visual reminder of Mohamed al Fayed's misdeeds. Harrods is working to expedite the proposed redevelopment project, aiming to replace the controversial feature.

Obituaries have characterised Mohamed al Fayed as a liar, a fantasist, and an aggressive sexual predator. As the investigation continues, the legacy of this controversial figure will continue to be debated.