A former royal butler of over two decades has shared intimate and personal letters given to him by the late Princess Diana which reveal touching hopes and dreams for her two sons. In an exclusive video shared by OK! Magazine, Paul Burrell gives a glimpse into his home life and reads the letters which are within a special collection of treasured memories. In a red room with wooden furnishings, Paul Burrell, 64, proudly reveals his collection to the cameras.
Mr Burrell points towards two letters, hand-written by Princess Diana, and reads out each word extremely carefully and slowly.
He reads: “I so want the monarchy to survive and realise the changes it would take to put the show on a new, healthy, track.”
Princess Diana’s former confidante pauses and says: “It’s like voices from the other side, isn’t it?”
He carries on reading the second letter: “I am here to support mama (meaning the queen) and bring William and Harry up in order to cope with the fast, changing world we live in. I love my boys to death and hope that the seeds I’ve planted will grow and bring the strength, knowledge, and stability that is needed.”
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Looking teary-eyed and emotional, Mr Burrell reflected on the words of the late Princess.
He said: “This to me tells me the Princess was a monarchist, she was proud of her boys being part of the royal family and she wanted them to go forward into the future.”
Mr Burrell was Diana’s butler for ten years, and prior to that, the Queen’s personal footman after entering royal service at the age of 18. Looking ahead to the Coronation, he thinks everybody inside Westminster Abbey “including Harry, William, Kate, Charles, and Camilla – will be thinking of Princess Diana.”
He also believes that if the late royal was still alive today, she would be “outshining” everyone at the procession and be looking “glorious.”
Mr Burrell’s tour of his home includes many pictures of him standing proudly next to Princess Diana. His house is a treasure cove, filled with special memories that represent his time in royal service. He shares the country home, in Cheshire, with his husband, Graham Cooper.
Mr Burrell said: “This house is amazing, we are fortunate to live where we do. I have lived here for 10 years, and this is my home as much as my husband’s. It’s where we can be together in private, share our lives and enjoy every day.”
