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Harry accuses Paul Burrell of ‘milking’ Diana’s death and butler hits back

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Harry accuses Paul Burrell of ‘milking’ Diana’s death and butler hits back
Harry accuses Paul Burrell of ‘milking’ Diana’s death and butler hits back

PRINCE Harry has blasted Princess Diana’s former butler for “milking” his mother’s death for money.

In his controversial memoir, the Duke of Sussex says that Paul Burrell “made his blood boil” when he released a book about his time with the late Princess.

Prince Harry slammed former Royal footman Paul Burrell eiqeeiqeqiduprw
Prince Harry slammed former Royal footman Paul BurrellCredit: Getty
Mr Burrell was Diana's butler for ten years
Mr Burrell was Diana's butler for ten yearsCredit: Rex Features
He wrote a book about their relationship in 2003
He wrote a book about their relationship in 2003Credit: Rex Features
Harry says the book made his 'blood boil'
Harry says the book made his 'blood boil'Credit: ITV

Mr Burrell served as the Princess' butler for a decade, and regularly describes himself as her “best friend”.

He released a series of private revelations in his book 'A Royal Duty' in 2003 - which led Harry and William to release a statement accusing him of “a cold and overt betrayal”.

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In response, Mr Burrell welcomed the suggestion of meeting with the princes to justify his book and tell them about parts of their mother's life they had not witnessed, adding: "I'd love to give them a piece of my mind."

Now, in his own book, Spare, Harry has revealed he heard of the book when he was working as an unpaid farmhand in Australia aged 19.

He claims he received word via a package from Buckingham Palace, warning him of the “delicate matter”.

He writes: “Mummy's former butler had penned a tell-all which actually told nothing.

“It was merely one man's self-justifying, self-centring version of events.


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“My mother once called this butler a dear friend, and trusted him implicitly. We did too. Now this.

“He was milking her disappearance for money. It made my blood boil.”

Harry says he wanted to jet back to Britain to “confront” Mr Burrell - but Charles and William talked him out of it.

He also claims he had “nothing to do with the drafting” of the Clarence House statement - and says he would have gone “much further”.

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On a meeting with Mr Burrell, Harry wrote: "He wanted to give us a piece of his mind?"

Harry said he "anxiously" waited for the meeting but it never happened, writing: "I didn't know why; I presume the Palace quashed it. I told myself: Shame.

"I thought of that man as the one errant steer that got away that summer."

But Mr Burrell hit back: "I first met him in his mummy's tummy. I don't recognise the young man I see today. That's not the boy I knew. 

"What I see now is an angry, petulant, privileged prince who is constantly blaming other people and not taking accountability on his part."

He added: "[Diana] would be angry at these personal, vindictive revelations which don't just undermine Harry, but his country, his family, the institution – which his mother was very proud of – and his late grandmother's legacy."

In the book he also recalls the moment he was told his mum had died in a car accident in Paris in 1997.

Harry reveals how his father Charles sat on the edge of his bed.

He says Charles said: “Darling boy, Mummy’s been in a car crash.

“There were complications. Mummy was quite badly injured and taken to hospital, darling boy.

“He always called me “darling boy,” but he was saying it quite a lot now. His voice was soft. He was in shock, it seemed.”

He continues: “With a head injury. They tried, darling boy. I’m afraid she didn’t make it.”

Harry also revealed that Charles “didn’t hug” him, but put his hand on his knee and said “It’s going to be OK”.

He also says he only cried once after his mother's death - and it was at her burial.

He claims even as he met crowds of Brits mourning Princess Diana, while walking past the 50,000 floral tributes laid for her, he showed no emotion.

He says he now feels a sense of guilt that he was smiling as he shook the hands of his mother's grieving fans - which were wet from their tears.

The Prince said: "Everyone knows where they were and what they were doing the night my mother died. 

"I cried once, at the burial, and you know I go into detail about how strange it was and how actually there was some guilt that I felt and I think William felt as well, by walking around the outside of Kensington Palace."

The Sun has approached Paul Burrell for comment.

Princess Diana with William and Harry
Princess Diana with William and HarryCredit: Rex Features
Harry's book hit shelves today
Harry's book hit shelves todayCredit: Splash
Harry said he only cried once after his mother's death
Harry said he only cried once after his mother's deathCredit: Getty - Contributor

Sarah Grealish

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