The high-end London department store, Harrods, said Thursday that it is “utterly appalled” by allegations of abuse – including rape – perpetrated by its former owner, the late billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed.

Al Fayed's pursuit for capital began on the streets of Alexandria, Egypt, where he sold fizzy drinks to passers-by. He made a breakthrough when he met his first wife, Samira Khashoggi, who was the sister of a millionaire Saudi arms dealer that helped him create new connections and go into shipping to expand his empire.

The late Mohamed Al-Fayed has been accused of rape by five women who worked for Harrods in a new BBC investigation, drawing attention to his royal connections.