It’s probably time to scratch Prince Harry and Prince William off the list of A-list celebrities to continue investigating for any unsavory social links to Sean “Diddy” Combs and his infamous parties.
Try as he might, Combs couldn’t get the grandsons of the late Queen Elizabeth II to attend one of his parties, according to Rob Souter, who worked for the music mogul in the early 2000s. In an interview with the BBC, Souter said that Combs had “a deep fascination” with the British royal family, and Souter remembers being asked to call the princes at least 10 times with invitations, as well as offers to cover their travel and lodging.
Combs, who kept framed pictures of the princes in his New York apartment, also offered to pay for their security. “He thought of himself as a king so it makes perfect sense that he would like to have two princes in his entourage,” Souter told the BBC.
But it was to no avail. William and Harry — or some very smart royal aides — turned down the invitations. This snub turned out to be prescient, given Combs’ stunning arrest last month on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges — allegations that have largely centered around sex abuse and other illegal activity taking place at his infamous parties.
London, UNITED KINGDOM: US rapper Kanye West (L) poses with Prince Harry (C) and US rapper P Diddy (R) at Wembley Arena in north London, 01 July 2007, as 60,000 revellers join Princes William and Harry for the six-hour long extravaganza in memory of their late mother Diana. Prince William, who turned 25 on June 21, predicted it would be “an incredible night” of music after watching preparations being made Saturday for the event which is timed for what would have been his mother’s 46th birthday. WPA POOL/AFP PHOTO/CARL DE SOUZA (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images)
But even as the princes kept their distance, Combs still managed to enjoy a photo-op with them in 2007, when he and Kanye West participated in a six-hour-long musical event in honor of their late mother, Princess Diana, in London. Unfortunately for Harry, his name also turned up in one of the multiple sex abuse lawsuits that have been filed against Combs, but only as an example of the level of celebrity to which Combs’ claimed to have access, the Daily Beast reported.
Combs’ desire to have William and Harry at his parties was part of his effort to solidly his position at the center of the entertainment industry, Souter explained to the BBC. After the rapper founded his Bad Boys record company in 1993, he produced hit albums for artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher and launched other successful media and fashion endeavors. To become a dominant force in culture, he wanted to be seen showing off his extravagant lifestyle.
So, Combs began throwing his annual White Parties, making them the most sought-after ticket in Hollywood and New York. From 1998 to 2009, the guest lists included his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, as well as Paris Hilton, Mariah Carey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ashton Kutcher, Jay-Z, Beyonce and members of the Kardashian family. The White Parties began in the Hamptons, where Combs brought together New York’s old-money elite and hip-hop culture, then eventually moved to his mansion in Beverly Hills.
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But, as the BBC reported, the “hottest party” of the year was a “facade” that allowed “sinister” conduct. The BBC reported on a lawsuit filed this week by a man who described the thrill of being invited to Combs’ first White Party in 1998. The man, 16 at the time, said the party was filled with major celebrities and entertainment executives, and he believed he could make connections at the party that could open doors to a music career.
But the man said he was drawn by Combs into a private area of the mansion where the party was being held. There, Combs told him the then-teenager to drop his pants so that the mogul could examine and touch him, saying that he was performing “a rite of passage” that was “the route to becoming a star.”
More than a dozen civil lawsuits have been filed against Combs, accusing him of assault, rape and sexual extortion. Former adult film star Adria English said she was “groomed into sex trafficking” after working at multiple White Party events. Another man said he worked security at Combs ‘2006 White Party, where drinks were allegedly laced with drugs, and he alleged that the host raped him.
Federal prosecutors have described other kinds of parties that Combs like to throw, which they allege were ground zero for his sprawling “criminal enterprise,” as the Daily Beast reported. Combs allegedly used physical and emotional abuse to entrap the women into his orbit, plying them with drugs before forcing them to participate in days-long group sex orgies that he called “freak offs.”
Combs has denied all wrongdoing. But, as he remains in custody in federal lockup, some of his famous friends continue to face scrutiny for their association with him. However, it looks like William and Harry shouldn’t have to worry anymore. The Daily Beast reported that Combs himself admitted that he failed to get the “young bucks” to hang out with him, which shows “stunning foresight” on the part of their palace aides.