Prince Harry “boiled with anger”: That’s why Diana’s ex-butler is repugnant to him

Prince Harry
That’s why Diana’s ex-butler is a thorn in his side

Prince Harry

© Samir Hussein / Getty Images

A central theme in Prince Harry’s memoir is his beloved mother, Princess Diana. In one passage, he recalls that Lady Di’s former butler once “made his blood boil” — for this reason.

Prince Harry, 38, describes in his memoir “Spare” how tragic the death of Princess Diana, † 36, was for him. Among other things, he tells how King Charles, 74, taught him about the death of his beloved “Mummy” and that Diana’s funeral traumatized him. In addition, the Duke of Sussex shares his thoughts on Diana’s ex-butler Paul Burrell – and is sharply critical.

Prince Harry ‘seething with anger’

In 2003, shortly after graduating from Eton College, Prince Harry worked as a farmhand in Australia for three months before beginning his military training. During his stay, the then 19-year-old received an ominous package from Buckingham Palace: It was filled with notes about “a delicate matter” from the communications team – Paul Burrell had written a tell-all book entitled “In the Service of My Queen”.

Harry couldn’t believe it. Even if the work did not actually reveal anything, the duke was shocked by the former butler’s greed. “It was just one man’s self-defeating, self-absorbed portrayal. My mother once called this butler a dear friend and trusted him implicitly,” he writes, adding, “We did too. And now this. He turned down money her disappearance. I was furious.”

Paul Burrell in 2008

Paul Burrell in 2008

© SHAUN CURRY / Getty Images

Joint statement by Charles and William

Harry was so angry that he wanted to fly home to confront Burrell – whom he does not name in his memoirs. He called his father to tell him in a rage about his return home. But Charles, and later William, could have placated Harry and persuaded him not to interrupt his visit to Australia.

“‘There is nothing more we can do,’ the two said, ‘than to publicly condemn it together’.” Therefore, Charles and William would have written a statement – Harry would have “gone further” on the wording – scolding the butler for his treachery. They also asked to meet Diana’s former employee. Burrell agreed to that. However, after telling a newspaper that he “wanted to give the royals an opinion”, no such meeting took place.

Source used: “Spare” by Prince Harry

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