Paul Burrell
Encyclopedia
Paul Burrell, RVM (born 6 June 1958) is a former servant of the British Royal Household
. He was a footman
for Queen Elizabeth II
and later butler
to Diana, Princess of Wales
. Since her death in 1997, Burrell has featured in the media, sometimes prominently, in connection with her, and since 2004 as an occasional entertainment show celebrity.
Burrell was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in November 1997 for services to the Royal Family.
. The pair met while working In Buckingham Palace
together. They have two sons, Alexander and Nicholas. When they married in 1983, established precedent dictated that one of them would have to give up their job with the Royal Family, but Queen Elizabeth II made an exception for them, allowing both to remain in Royal service. This situation earned them a measure of fame at the time. Burrell is a fan of Wrexham Football Club.
, Derbyshire
, a coal-mining community in England's Midlands. His father was a lorry 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. He attended William Rhodes Secondary School in Chesterfield and left, aged 16, with six O-Levels
before attending High Peak College in Buxton
where he studied hotel management
.
Burrell entered Royal Service at age 18, as a Buckingham Palace
footman
, becoming the Queen's personal footman a year later. He was nicknamed "Small Paul", to distinguish him from a taller footman, who was known as "Tall Paul" According to his autobiography, he had received a simultaneous job offer from cruise line Cunard
but his mother had burned it because "He'll chuff off on that boat and we'll never see him again". 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. He was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in November 1997 for services to the Royal Family.
, 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
. 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. Burrell said that he had approached a Catholic priest about a private marriage between Diana and the heart surgeon Dr Hasnat Khan
, and he rubbished rumours that Diana was about to announce her engagement to Dodi Fayed. 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
. The coroner 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. 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, and allegations regarding his personal life. Burrell stated he would not return to court for fear of being embarrassed and humiliated by the possible questioning.
On 18 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 suggested that Burrell could be charged with perjury. The Sun newspaper said it was turning the tape over to the court on 19 February 2008.
, his move to Diana's staff at Kensington Palace
after her divorce from Prince Charles, and his acquittal on serious theft charges against him. The book was an international bestseller, and was updated in a paperback edition in 2004.
Also in 2004, he placed 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 predilection for talking about the British Royal Family
.
In 2005, Burrell became a judge and trainer on Australian Princess
, and in March 2006, appeared on Countdown
in Dictionary Corner. In early 2006, he appeared as Richard Gere
on ITV's Celebrity Stars in their Eyes, singing "Razzle Dazzle" from Chicago
, the film version of the Broadway musical. In September 2006 he appeared on Channel Five's Trust Me - I'm A Holiday Rep
, joining as a substitute for Samantha Rowley
. In 2007, he began promoting Royal Butler wine, an "affordable luxury" brand then selling for £6 per bottle.
Burrell said at the launch:
Royal Households of the United Kingdom
The Royal Households of the United Kingdom are the organised offices and support systems for the British Royal Family, along with their immediate families...
. He was a footman
Footman
A footman is a male servant, notably as domestic staff.-Word history:The name derives from the attendants who ran beside or behind the carriages of aristocrats, many of whom were chosen for their physical attributes. They ran alongside the coach to make sure it was not overturned by such obstacles...
for Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
and later butler
Butler
A butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its...
to Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
. Since her death in 1997, Burrell has featured in the media, sometimes prominently, in connection with her, and since 2004 as an occasional entertainment show celebrity.
Burrell was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in November 1997 for services to the Royal Family.
Personal life
Burrell is married to Maria Cosgrove, who formerly worked for Prince Philip, Duke of EdinburghDuke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh is a British royal title, named after the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family only four times times since its creation in 1726...
. The pair met while working In Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
together. They have two sons, Alexander and Nicholas. When they married in 1983, established precedent dictated that one of them would have to give up their job with the Royal Family, but Queen Elizabeth II made an exception for them, allowing both to remain in Royal service. This situation earned them a measure of fame at the time. Burrell is a fan of Wrexham Football Club.
Background and career in the Royal Household
Paul Burrell grew up in GrassmoorGrassmoor
Grassmoor is a village in Derbyshire, England, approximately three miles to the south of Chesterfield. Its original name, according to 16th-century parish records, was Gresmore. Grassmoor formally housed many miners, however all of the local mines in the area have been closed since the...
, Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, a coal-mining community in England's Midlands. His father was a lorry driver and it was initially assumed that Burrell would go to work in the local colliery
Coal mining
The goal of coal mining is to obtain coal from the ground. Coal is valued for its energy content, and since the 1880s has been widely used to generate electricity. Steel and cement industries use coal as a fuel for extraction of iron from iron ore and for cement production. In the United States,...
, but had decided aged eight years that he wanted to work at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
after a trip to London with his family, where he witnessed the Changing of the Guard. He attended William Rhodes Secondary School in Chesterfield and left, aged 16, with six O-Levels
Ordinary Level
The O-level is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of Education . It was introduced as part of British educational reform in the 1950s alongside the more in-depth and academically rigorous Advanced Level in England, Wales and Northern Ireland A-level...
before attending High Peak College in Buxton
Buxton
Buxton is a spa town in Derbyshire, England. It has the highest elevation of any market town in England. Located close to the county boundary with Cheshire to the west and Staffordshire to the south, Buxton is described as "the gateway to the Peak District National Park"...
where he studied hotel management
Hospitality management studies
Hospitality management is the academic study of the hospitality industry. A degree in Hospitality management is often conferred from either a university college dedicated to the studies of hospitality management or a business school with a department in hospitality management studies...
.
Burrell entered Royal Service at age 18, as a Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
footman
Footman
A footman is a male servant, notably as domestic staff.-Word history:The name derives from the attendants who ran beside or behind the carriages of aristocrats, many of whom were chosen for their physical attributes. They ran alongside the coach to make sure it was not overturned by such obstacles...
, becoming the Queen's personal footman a year later. He was nicknamed "Small Paul", to distinguish him from a taller footman, who was known as "Tall Paul" According to his autobiography, he had received a simultaneous job offer from cruise line Cunard
Cunard Line
Cunard Line is a British-American owned shipping company based at Carnival House in Southampton, England and operated by Carnival UK. It has been a leading operator of passenger ships on the North Atlantic for over a century...
but his mother had burned it because "He'll chuff off on that boat and we'll never see him again". In 1987 Burrell joined the household of heir to the throne Charles and Diana at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, where he acted as butler
Butler
A butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its...
to the princess until her death
Death of Diana, Princess of Wales
On 31 August 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, died as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident in the Pont de l'Alma road tunnel in Paris, France. Her companion, Dodi Fayed, and the driver of the Mercedes-Benz W140, Henri Paul, were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Fayed's...
in August 1997. He was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in November 1997 for services to the Royal Family.
Royal Household and inquest related
Since the death of Diana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
, 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
Public Interest Immunity
Public-interest immunity is a principle of English common law under which the English courts can grant a court order allowing one litigant to refrain from disclosing evidence to the other litigants where disclosure would be damaging to the public interest...
(PII) certificate was presented by the Crown Prosecution Service
Crown Prosecution Service
The Crown Prosecution Service, or CPS, is a non-ministerial department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for public prosecutions of people charged with criminal offences in England and Wales. Its role is similar to that of the longer-established Crown Office in Scotland, and the...
on the basis that disclosure of certain information would be harmful to the public interest
Public interest
The public interest refers to the "common well-being" or "general welfare." The public interest is central to policy debates, politics, democracy and the nature of government itself...
. The aftermath of the collapse of the trial led to the Burrell affair
Burrell affair
The Burrell affair was a scandal in 2002 which arose from a number of allegations about the behaviour of the British Royal Family and their servants...
.
In January 2008 Burrell appeared as a witness at the inquest into the death of Diana. Burrell said that he had approached a Catholic priest about a private marriage between Diana and the heart surgeon Dr Hasnat Khan
Hasnat Khan
Hasnat Ahmad Khan, PHD, FRCS, has been a heart and lung surgeon at Harefield Hospital in London. He is reported to be planning to return to Pakistan to accept a post at a hospital in Lahore...
, and he rubbished rumours that Diana was about to announce her engagement to Dodi Fayed. 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
Tiggy Legge-Bourke
Alexandra Shân "Tiggy" Legge-Bourke MVO was nanny, later companion, to Prince William of Wales and his brother Prince Harry, and a personal assistant to Charles, Prince of Wales, between 1993 and 1999...
. The coroner 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. A number of other matters were discussed in relation to this case, many alleged and not proven. These included allegations of perjury
Perjury
Perjury, also known as forswearing, is the willful act of swearing a false oath or affirmation to tell the truth, whether spoken or in writing, concerning matters material to a judicial proceeding. That is, the witness falsely promises to tell the truth about matters which affect the outcome of the...
at the coroners court, and allegations regarding his personal life. Burrell stated he would not return to court for fear of being embarrassed and humiliated by the possible questioning.
On 18 February 2008 The Sun
The Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
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 suggested that Burrell could be charged with perjury. The Sun newspaper said it was turning the tape over to the court on 19 February 2008.
Media and personal related
In 2003, Burrell released his autobiographical book, A Royal Duty, which follows his career as a member of the Royal Family's staff, deals in detail with his time as butler to the Prince and Princess of Wales at their home at Highgrove House in GloucestershireGloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, his move to Diana's staff at Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is a royal residence set in Kensington Gardens in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. It has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century and is the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and...
after her divorce from Prince Charles, and his acquittal on serious theft charges against him. The book was an international bestseller, and was updated in a paperback edition in 2004.
Also in 2004, he placed as runner up in the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
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
Janet Street-Porter
Janet Street-Porter is a British media personality, journalist and television presenter. She was editor for two years of The Independent on Sunday. She relinquished the job to become editor-at-large in 2002...
, regarding his predilection for talking about the British Royal Family
British Royal Family
The British Royal Family is the group of close relatives of the monarch of the United Kingdom. The term is also commonly applied to the same group of people as the relations of the monarch in her or his role as sovereign of any of the other Commonwealth realms, thus sometimes at variance with...
.
In 2005, Burrell became a judge and trainer on Australian Princess
Australian Princess
Australian Princess is an Australian reality television show that first premiered on Network Ten on 5 October 2005. It is produced by Granada Productions, who are responsible for other programs such as Dancing with the Stars, Australia's Next Top Model and Merrick and Rosso Unplanned.The show is...
, and in March 2006, appeared on Countdown
Countdown (game show)
Countdown is a British game show involving word and number puzzles. It is produced by ITV Studios and broadcast on Channel 4. It is presented by Jeff Stelling, assisted by Rachel Riley, with regular lexicographer Susie Dent. It was the first programme to be aired on Channel 4, and over sixty-five...
in Dictionary Corner. In early 2006, he appeared as Richard Gere
Richard Gere
Richard Tiffany Gere is an American actor. He began acting in the 1970s, playing a supporting role in Looking for Mr. Goodbar, and a starring role in Days of Heaven. He came to prominence in 1980 for his role in the film American Gigolo, which established him as a leading man and a sex symbol...
on ITV's Celebrity Stars in their Eyes, singing "Razzle Dazzle" from Chicago
Chicago (2002 film)
Chicago is a 2002 musical film adapted from the satirical stage musical of the same name, exploring the themes of celebrity, scandal, and corruption in Jazz-age Chicago....
, the film version of the Broadway musical. In September 2006 he appeared on Channel Five's Trust Me - I'm A Holiday Rep
Trust Me - I'm A Holiday Rep
Trust Me - I'm A Holiday Rep is a reality television show that was broadcast by Five in the United Kingdom.The first series ran nightly with 10 programmes over 2 weeks. It chronicles attempts by 6 celebrities to work as holiday reps for tour group Olympic Holidays...
, joining as a substitute for Samantha Rowley
Samantha Rowley
Samantha Rowley is a British actress and model born on 30 January 1988.She appeared on the first series of the reality TV show and model search Make Me A Supermodel on Five in March 2005, in which she came fourth...
. In 2007, he began promoting Royal Butler wine, an "affordable luxury" brand then selling for £6 per bottle.
Burrell said at the launch:
Awards
According to his autobiography, Burrell holds the following awards or recognitions:- Verdienstmedaille, awarded GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, 1978 - Silver Medal, awarded SwedenSwedenSweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, 1983 - The Order of The Lion of Malawi Medal, 1985
- Royal Victorian Medal, 1997