Paul Burrell: Diana's Rock

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Diana's controversial 'rock' presents his side of the story in a video diary charting his turbulent courtcase. Brutally honest, often surprising, always compelling.

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Paul Burrell
born: 08-06-1958
birth place: Grassmere, Derbyshire

From being lauded as the late Diana’s confidante to the privilege of dressing her body after her tragic death, the former royal butler was soon to experience a monumental backlash in the form of humiliating accusations of theft, betrayal and the threat of imprisonment.

In January 2001, Burrell’s world took on nightmare proportions when he was arrested during a dawn raid at his Cheshire home and accused of stealing hundreds of items from the late Diana’s estate.

A highly publicised court case at Bow Street magistrates in London saw him fight for his innocence against an onslaught of police accusations and lurid press stories relating to his sex life. The greatest indignity was perhaps his public rejection from the royal household, particularly by Prince Charles and his young sons, after years of close association.

Charged with stealing 342 possessions worth £5m belonging to Diana, Prince Charles and Prince William, Burrell was eventually remanded on bail in August 2001.

His solicitor, Andrew Shaw, revealed at the time that Lady Diana had placed items with the former butler because she had trusted him more than professional advisors. Shaw declared the court proceedings a ‘trophy trial’ and stated that the police had charged his client before he could explain why the items were in his possession.

The ongoing trial saw an emotionally drained Burrell pursued by a media scrum and his character reviled in the tabloids. Often shaken by events at court, he was also targeted by an angry member of the public who was eventually restrained by police officers.

After a gruelling year, during which Burrell’s brother Graham was also arrested on suspicion of possessing stolen goods, the once favoured retainer vigorously maintained his innocence.

The case, temporarily postponed for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, eventually entered a second trial in October 2002 after the original jury was discharged for legal reasons.

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