For more than 25 years, Paul Burrell’s name has been entwined with the memory of Princess Diana.
Years after leaving his various roles within the royal household, where he faithfully served the Queen and later the Prince and Princess of Wales, he has been one of the few people able to give an insight into the inner workings of palace life that for so many remains a world of mystery.
Most people are aware of Paul’s criminal trial in 2002, which was dramatically halted after the Queen personally intervened.
Acting on a tip-off, police had staged a dawn raid on the Cheshire townhouse Paul shared with his then wife, discovering a hoard of items that had belonged to Diana.
The former butler, who throughout his ordeal pleaded his innocence, insisting hundreds of personal items were gifted to him by the princess, was accused of stealing 310 items together worth £4.5million.
Sensationally, 11 days into the trial, he was saved after the Queen’s counsel revealed that Her Majesty “had a recollection” that he had told her he was looking after the treasure trove.
It proved his innocence, but the scars of the past still remain for a man who continues to well up at the mention of his former boss, who, he says, called him her “best friend”.
Those in royal circles are quick to dismiss Paul for the way he has continued to talk about Diana, but in a world where infighting and scandal has savaged the monarchy in recent times, his dedication to “preserving her memory” has not wavered.
It may be hard to see why warring princes William and Harry would want to engage with him.
But given his cancer diagnosis and genuine fears for the future, perhaps now is the time for the brothers to hear him out.
