Princess Diana’s former royal butler Paul Burrell has announced that he has written a “deeply personal and intimate memoir” about his life behind Palace walls. The new book, titled The Royal Insider, reveals untold stories of his life working for the Royal Family and will be published in September.
While he has published a memoir before – called A Royal Duty – Burrell now wants to tell his story in full. The book will give royal fans a rare insight of “untold” stories of his life with the royals, the publishers said.
This will include an insight into the breakdown of Charles and Diana’s marriage, and his complex relationship with Prince William and Prince Harry – who he watched grow up.
Speaking ahead of the book’s launch in September, the former royal butler said: “I am an ordinary man, but have had an extraordinary life. I have been humbled to stand beside and know such inspirational and unique human beings.
“At this stage of my life, it feels like the right time to reflect and open up about my story. It is my privilege to share it with you.”
The book has also been described as an “emotional rollercoaster”.
The Royal Family have not commented publicly on the matter.
Burrell’s first book A Royal Duty, published in 2003, sent shockwaves around the royal household at the time.
It is believed the royals have been mistrustful of Mr Burrell ever since his book was released, with Prince William and Harry issuing a statement from Clarence House in 2003 claiming the publication was a “cold and overt betrayal” of their mother.
Ahead of the book’s publication in 2003, series of the memoir were made public. This led to Clarence House issuing a statement on behalf of the princes.
As reported by The Guardian, it read: “We cannot believe that Paul, who was entrusted with so much, could abuse his position in such a cold and overt betrayal. It was not only deeply painful for the two of us but also for everyone else affected and it would mortify our mother if she were alive today and, if we might say so, we feel we are more able to speak for our mother than Paul. We ask Paul please to bring these revelations to an end.”
The book still went on to be published.
