Paul Burrell

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Paul Burrell, RVM.
Born 6 June 1958(1958-06-06)
Grassmoor (near Chesterfield, Derbyshire)
Occupation 1. Member of Royal Household
2. Media.
Spouse Maria Cosgrove
Children Alexander, Nicholas
Website
paulburrellrvm.com

Paul Burrell (born June 6, 1958 (1958-06-06) (age 50), at Grassmoor (near Chesterfield, Derbyshire) is a former member of the Royal Household. He was a footman for Queen Elizabeth II and later butler to Diana, Princess of Wales. He became a source of controversy as a pivotal figure in events related to Diana's divorce and (later) death, and the aftermath of these.

Since that time, approximately 1997, Burrell has from time to time featured in the media, sometimes prominently, in connection with Diana, and since 2004 as an occasional entertainment show celebrity. Allegations of criminal conduct were raised - in particular in 2002 - and intermittently suggested since, but whilst tried, no case was sustained. Public opinion is mixed, with Burrell both enjoying interest within television and other media, and also being the target of hate.

Burrell holds the Royal Victorian Medal, which he was awarded in November 1997 for services to the Royal Family.[1]

Contents

Personal life

Burrell is married to Maria Cosgrove, who used to work for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The pair met at a car boot sale in Rotherham. They have two sons, Alexander and Nicholas, and a West Highland Terrier named Belle.[1] Burrell is a fan of Wrexham Football Club.[2]

Background and career in the Royal Household

Paul Burrell (no middle name)[3] was born in Chesterfield in 1958,[1] and grew up in Grassmoor, Derbyshire, a coal-mining community in North England.[1] His father was a truck driver and it was initially assumed that Burrell would go to work in the local colliery, but had decided aged eight years that he wanted to work at Buckingham Palace after a trip to London with his family, where he witnessed the Changing of the Guard.[4] He attended William Rhodes secondary school in Chesterfield and left aged sixteen with six O-Levels before attending High Peak College in Buxton where he studied hotel management.[1][4]

He entered Royal Service at age 18, as a Buckingham Palace footman, becoming the Queen's personal footman a year later. He was nicknamed "Little Paul", to distinguish him from a taller footman, who was known as "Big Paul"[1][4] According to his autobiography, he had received a simultaneous job offer from cruise line Cunard but his mother had burned it to prevent him from working on ships.[1][4] In 1987 Burrell joined the household of heir to the throne Charles and Diana at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, where he acted as butler to the princess until her death in August 1997.[4] He was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in November 1997 for services to the Royal Family.[1]

Divorce and death of Diana, and their aftermath

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Events since that time

Royal Household and inquest related

Since the death of Diana, and the ten-year gradual unfolding of the matter leading to a Coroner's Court in 2007-2008, Burrell has been routinely mentioned in the context of Diana, and has gained a measure of renown in the media. At times the coverage has been adverse, for example in a 2002 case where he was charged with theft related to Diana's possessions. The trial collapsed after evidence was given that the Queen had spoken with him regarding disputed events, and a Public Interest Immunity (PII) certificate was presented by the Crown Prosecution Service on the basis that disclosure of certain information would be harmful to the public interest.[5] The aftermath of the collapse of the trial led to the Burrell affair.

In January 2008 Burrell appeared as a witness at the Inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Burrell said that he had approached a Catholic priest about a private marriage between Diana and the heart surgeon Dr Hasnat Khan [6], and he rubbished rumours that Diana was about to announce her engagement to Dodi Fayed [7]. He was also questioned about a letter to him from Diana in October 1993, in which she said her husband was planning to have her killed to make the path clear for him to marry Tiggy Legge-Bourke.[8][9]. The coronor dismissed notions of a "secret" that Burrell knew about Diana that he swore he "would never reveal", as detailed at the end of his book, A Royal Duty [10]. A number of other matters were discussed in relation to this case, many alleged and not proven. These included allegations of perjury at the coroners court,[11] and allegations regarding his personal life.[12] Burrell stated he would not return to court for fear of being embarrassed and humiliated by the possible questioning.

On the 18th February 2008 The Sun newspaper reported that Burrell had admitted, on tape, that he had not told "the whole truth" during his appearance at the Diana inquest, he also said he had thrown in a "few red herrings". Some reports suggest Burrell could be charged with perjury. [7] [8] [9] The Sun newspaper said it was turning the tape over to the court on February 19, 2008.[10]

Media and personal related

Burrell now has a flower shop in Farndon, Cheshire
Burrell now has a flower shop in Farndon, Cheshire

In 2003, Burrell released his book, A Royal Duty, which talks about his time as butler to Diana, followed a year later in 2004 by placing as runner up in the ITV reality TV show, I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. He also had arguments reported related to his discussions with journalist Janet Street-Porter, regarding his prediliction for talking about the British Royal Family. In 2005, he became a judge and trainer on Australian Princess, and in March 2006, appeared on Countdown in Dictionary Corner. In early 2006, Paul appeared as the actor Richard Gere on ITV's Celebrity Stars in their Eyes, singing "Razzle Dazzle" from the hit movie Chicago. In September 2006 he appeared on Channel Five's Trust Me - I'm A Holiday Rep, joining as a substitute for leaver Samantha Rowley. In 2007, Burrell began promoting Royal Butler wine, an "affordable luxury" brand selling for £6 a bottle. He said at the launch: "I wouldn’t give my princess just anything, and I won’t give American ladies just anything either".

Awards

According to his autobiography, Burrell holds the following awards or recognitions:[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Web autobiography: http://web.archive.org/web/20070715195956/www.paulburrellrvm.com/bio.html
  2. ^ Paul Burrell. BBC Wales. BBC. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
  3. ^ Burrell states in his web autobiography "Full Name, Paul Burrell".
  4. ^ a b c d e "From below-stairs servant to Hollywood darling", The Daily Telegraph, 2002-11-02. Retrieved on 2008-03-08. 
  5. ^ MPs criticise Queen over Burrell case - The Guardian, Nov 2002
  6. ^ Diana considered marrying surgeon, says Burrell | UK news | guardian.co.uk
  7. ^ Diana considered marrying surgeon, says Burrell | UK news | guardian.co.uk
  8. ^ Diana affair over before crash, inquest told by Rosalind Ryan in The Guardian online, article dated January 7, 2008 (accessed 4 February 2008)
  9. ^ Princess Diana letter - 'Charles plans to kill me' by Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter, in The Daily Telegraph online, article dated 20 December 2007 (accessed 4 February 2008)
  10. ^ Diana considered marrying surgeon, says Burrell | UK news | guardian.co.uk
  11. ^ [1][2][3][4]
  12. ^ [5][6]

External links