Late Saudi king's 'secret wife' wins multimillion-pound payout

A woman claiming to be the secret wife of the late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia has been awarded more than £15 million ($23m) and the value of two Chelsea flats by a judge at the high court in London.

Janan Harb, 68, said she married King Fahad in 1968 when she was 19, before he ascended to the throne.

Palestinian-born Harb claimed that Prince Abdul Aziz, one of the king's sons by another wife, had promised she would be looked after for the rest of her life.

Judge Mr Justice Peter Smith said Harb's claim that there had been an agreement was 'credible'

The prince reportedly made the promise when he met her at the Dorchester hotel in London on 20 June 2003 when the king was seriously ill.

King Fahad died on 1 August 2005, aged 84.

According to Harb, he agreed to pay her £12m and transfer to her two flats in Chelsea, in keeping with his father's promise of lifelong financial support.

Judge Mr Justice Peter Smith said Harb's claim that there had been an agreement was "credible".

Prince Abdul Aziz submitted written statements to the court denying the claim.

The judge had ordered the prince to give evidence in person, but the prince failed to turn up and was ordered to pay £25,000 to charity for contempt of court.

The judge was told the Saudi royal family feared his appearance would result in "a media circus".

"Thank God we have British justice. The prince wanted me to go to Saudi Arabia where he would had power over all this," said Harb after the ruling.

"This is a very difficult case. I really thank the judge so much. He was so understanding," she added.