This week, Paul Burrell has been almost everywhere—radio interviews, daytime TV appearances, and podcasts—leading up to a major live event at London’s Cadogan Hall tomorrow, hosted by Lorraine Kelly.
Fans can expect a two-hour evening packed with stories, secrets, and insider glimpses into the Royal Family.
Burrell, the former royal butler, has long been a figure of fascination, and his latest memoir, The Royal Insider, subtitled My Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana, offers a mix of personal reflection, jaw-dropping revelations, and heartfelt memories from his decades at the heart of the monarchy.
A Life Inside the Royal Household
Although 28 years have passed since Burrell last wore his royal livery, he insists he has never lost touch with the world he once inhabited.
This book marks his third volume of memoirs.
His first, in 2003, caused a sensation by claiming that Princess Diana had predicted a fatal car crash ten months before her death.
The second, released three years later, focused on Diana’s life at Kensington Palace and their close friendship.
Now, Burrell’s latest memoir delves even deeper, offering intimate accounts of his interactions with the late Queen, Princess Diana, and Prince Charles.
While some critics dismiss him as opportunistic or accuse him of profiting from his association with Diana, Burrell himself acknowledges he is a divisive figure—a “Marmite” personality who cannot please everyone.
Honouring the Quee
n’s Legacy
Despite controversy, Burrell says one of his main motivations for writing the book was to share the warmth and humanity of Queen Elizabeth.
Across 300 pages, he recounts new details, including her private battle with cancer in 2021, which was kept secret from most of the world, including her immediate family.
Burrell shares a poignant anecdote of the Queen’s reaction to her diagnosis: “Well, that’s a shame because next year is my Platinum Jubilee and I’d quite like to have seen that.
Can you keep me alive for that?” He describes how blood transfusions and lifestyle adjustments—including giving up her beloved gin and Dubonnet—helped her witness the historic milestone in June 2022.
Frustration With Prince Harry
Yet much of the book also focuses on Burrell’s longstanding frustrations, particularly with Prince Harry.
In a chapter titled There’s Something About Harry, Burrell recounts being shocked by statements Harry made in support of a media-related legal case, repeating accusations that Burrell had sold Diana’s possessions—claims Burrell maintains are completely false.
The allegations had been investigated by Scotland Yard during his 2002 trial, but with no evidence presented, the charges were dropped.
Learning these claims resurfaced due to Harry’s comments left Burrell feeling humiliated and angered.
He challenged Harry through legal channels, but received only a pro-forma acknowledgment from the prince’s solicitors.
A Secret Meeting With the Princes
Interestingly, Burrell also recalls a private meeting with both Prince William and Prince Harry at Kensington Palace.
The brothers, working on documentaries about their mother in 2017, invited him to help fill in gaps in their memories of Diana.
During the meeting, William reflected on how close Diana had been to Burrell: “Mummy drew you too close to her, Paul… We won’t do that with our household.” He added, “You can let go now, Harry and I can take over.”
Burrell recounts revealing truths about Diana’s early family life, including candid moments involving Charles and the newborn princes.
Reassessing His Role
While the meeting was meant to remain confidential, Burrell says Harry’s “hateful and hurtful words” left him no choice but to write openly about it.
“I have been humiliated by Harry. I never wanted to disclose that I met the boys at Kensington Palace,” he explains.
Despite differing opinions about Burrell’s character, the former butler’s memoir offers a rare insider perspective at a moment when Harry himself is in Britain attempting a reconciliation with the Royal Family—a timely and revealing account that reminds readers of the complexities behind the palace doors.