Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein is said to have paid her lover Russell Flowers £1.2million to keep quiet about their relationship, and showered the former infantryman with luxury gifts, including a £12,000 watch, cigars and a £50,000 Purdy shotgun. As part of his pay off, Mr Flowers has been sworn to secrecy about the two-year relationship.
But now close friends of Mr Flowers’ estranged wife have spoken out, claiming Princess Haya seduced the former soldier by demanding he join her on official visits.
And the pair allegedly went on to have a two-year-relationship, in which Mr Flowers, 37, was gifted a hand crafted humidor, personalised number plate with the word ‘RU55ELLS’ and a signet ring.
The friends told how their affair led to the breakdown of Mr Flower’s four-year marriage with his wife who was left “distraught”.
But Mr Flowers, who served for five years in the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, is said to have been “mesmerised” by the Jordanian princess, who is the half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan.
A friend told how Mr Flowers estranged wife believed her husband was “targeted” by the princess.
They told the Mail Online: “Russell’s wife believed he was seduced by the money and gifts. She gave him lots of expensive gifts and made sure that he was always by her side.
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The friend added: “She had known Russell since she was 17 years old and believed they had a life together.
“The divorce left her shattered and it has taken a long time for her to get over the betrayal.
“Russell should be ashamed of the way her treated his wife.”
The princess strongly refutes a number of the claims being made about the relationship.
Mr Flowers started working for the princess full time in 2016.
Details of the affair came to light during Princess Haya’s high profile High Court battle against her ex-husband Sheikh Mohammed, 71, who is also vice-president of the UAE, over their daughter Al Jalila, 12, and son Zayed, seven.
During his court ruling, family court judge Sir Andrew McFarlane said she had “embarked upon an adulterous relationship with one of her male bodyguards”.
In March the princess, 46 won custody of their two children.
In June 2019, it was revealed that Princess Haya had fled from her husband in Dubai with her children and was seeking asylum in the United Kingdom, reportedly in fear for her life after her affair was uncovered.
Both Princess Haya and Mr Flowershave refused to comment.
