The People's PrincessAll about Diana Spencer, the beloved Princess of Wales, who married and divorced a future king and tragically died in 1997 at age 36.
Former butler Paul Burrell was privy to all of the British Royal Family's secrets in the '90s - especially those of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, who was also his boss. Diana, "the People's Princess," and Burrell were allegedly more than just boss and employee, though; according to him, they were close friends who confided their secrets to one another.
Diana's tragic passing brought forth Burrell's revelations about life with the princess. He released books and gave numerous tell-all interviews, exposing the most intimate of secrets about the late royal, reportedly ranging from Diana's issues with Prince Charles to her eating disorder. The man who was once Princess Diana's butler became a celebrity and media personality in his own right. Here are some of the most scandalous tidbits about Diana's life, at least according to Burrell.
Photo: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.com
Photo: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.com
He Says He Directly Enabled Her Eating Disorder
Princess Diana was open about her struggle with bulimia, which started during a rough patch in her marriage. Burrell has since claimed he enabled her disorder, stating: “I had stocks of all the supplies which she might need, and I sort of aided and abetted, I suppose, in lots of ways."
In the documentary, In Therapy: Paul Burrell, he alleged, "And I'd help her with that. I'd get the chef to prepare a gallon of custard, and I'd buy [yogurts] and lots of bananas. And I'd prepare the room for her to make sure she was comfortable. Make sure there was a pile of towels... I was doing my duty. I would have done anything for Diana."
Photo: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.com
Diana Was Reportedly Afraid Prince Charles Would Harm Her
Burrell produced a handwritten letter Diana allegedly wrote to him in October 1993 in which the late royal claimed her husband was planning to harm her in a car accident. Why? Apparently to marry her sons' nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke, with whom he was rumored to be romantically entangled.
In the letter, which Burrell presented at the inquest into her passing, Diana supposedly wrote, all the way back in 1993:
This particular phase in my life is the most dangerous - my husband is planning 'an accident' in my car, brake failure and serious head injury in order to make the path clear for him to marry Tiggy. Camilla is nothing but a decoy, so we are all being used by the man in every sense of the word.
Photo: chrisdorney / Shutterstock.com
Diana And Burrell Evidently Helped A Friend Perform A Secret Service At Kensington Palace
When Diana's friend Rosa Monckton gave birth to a stillborn child in 1994, the princess reportedly helped her pal secretly bury her child at Kensington Palace, according to Burrell. Monckton has attested to the veracity of this claim, saying that Diana got away with it by saying that they were interring a pet in the garden.
Diana apparently gave Monckton a key to the garden, which remains in her possession.
Charles Supposedly Told Diana 'His Work Was Done' Once She Gave Birth To Harry
Burrell alleges once Diana gave birth to her second son, Prince Harry, the couple was done having kids. In Prince Charles's (reported) own words, they'd provided an "heir" and a "spare" (in case something happened to William) for the throne. Burrell claimed Charles gave Diana this news right after she'd given birth to Harry.
He supposedly said, "My work is done now. I’m off to the theatre with Camilla."
Diana's Mother Reportedly Criticized Her Choice Of Men
Princess Diana's relationship with her mother, Frances Shand Kydd, was often contentious. After all, Shand Kydd left her daughter at a young age, though the two bonded later on. However, Diana evidently severed the relationship after what Burrell described as Shand Kydd's prejudiced attitude. Burrell noted Shand Kydd was also rude to her daughter and had an issue with Diana's relationships with Muslim men.
Burrell said he knows this because Diana invited him to listen in on her phone calls.
Burrell Said Prince William Told His Mom He'd Reinstate Her Royal Title
When Princess Diana divorced Charles, she lost her royal title. Burrell wrote in his book A Royal Duty about how much this upset the princess. The book also stated the loss of the title meant Diana worried about becoming a commoner again and would perhaps need to curtsy to most of the royal family, including her sons.
In response to his mother's plight, eldest son William allegedly told Diana, "Don't worry, Mummy. I will give it back to you one day when I am king.”
