Omani sheikh spends combined $42.3 million on two London apartments

A wealthy Omani sheikh has dropped a combined $AUD42 million (£GBP 25m) on two luxury London apartments he insisted must be both within walking distance to each other and no more than 10-minutes away from famous retail store Harrods.

The sheikh, whose name has not been disclosed but who is believed to be one of Oman's richest retail magnates, bought a £17 million five-bedroom apartment for his family and a £8 million four-bedroom flat for his fleet of staff.

The properties are located in the affluent suburb of Knightsbridge, and are both a ten-minute walk from Hyde Park and Harrods – a non-negotiable stipulation of the sheikh's.  

Both are renovated and refurbished homes in period buildings, and the combined £25 million sale is the highest value period-property apartment sale in the district for over two years – a figure realtors say proves London is still a hot-spot for incredibly affluent buyers.