Saudi Princess dodges $7.5mln hotel bill, French authorities respond

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In a report by Luxury Launches, the newspaper reveals a scandal of how the Saudi Princess Maha Al-Sudairi dodged bills at Paris’ most exclusive boutiques for $20 million and didn’t shy away from bolting her way out of an outstanding $7 million hotel bill. What led to this astronomical bill?

The late Saudi Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's ex-wife and her entourage stayed at Paris' five-star Shangri-La Hotel in the 16th Arrondissement. She took up the whole level, occupying 41 rooms.

For five months, the diva and her team resided in the upscale hotel. She tried to escape the situation by leaving the property in the early hours when it was time to pay. However, such an escape becomes a problem for anyone traveling with a posse of 60 people, a fleet of limos, and numerous suitcases.

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On May 31, 2012, around 3:30 am, Princess Maha attempted to escape this position but was unsuccessful. She was finally able to leave and check into the Royal Monceau, which is owned by a Qatari, after making calls to senior diplomats and government officials, according to Vanity Fair.

The Princess is known for being a frequent spender who did have a stellar payment history up until she didn't, not just for her exorbitant hotel stays. The friendly shopaholic immediately transformed into a seasoned creditor and flashed the embossed card bearing the words "Payment to Follow." Princess Maha went on a $20 million spending binge in upscale Parisian stores in 2009.

Seized luxury goods

Six French creditors, including one that provided Princess Maha with up to 30 chauffeur-driven automobiles per day for six months ($400,000 in unpaid expenses), sued her.

A Paris judge ruled in 2013 that three lock-up storage rooms that the Princess had rented and were housing designer goods valued at more than $11 million should be confiscated and auctioned to settle these debts.

Al-Sudairi had three storage spaces in the heart of Paris that were overflowing from her buying excursions throughout the city. It's a veritable gold mine of royal luxuries, including fine art, jewelry, apparel, and leather items.