Кралска служба

by Paul Burrell, Пол Бъръл, Лиляна Лакова (Translator)

Когато се разбра, че Пол Бъръл, дългогодишният лакей на кралицата и иконом на принца и принцесата на Уелс, а после – само на принцеса Даяна до самата й смърт, пише книга, в кралството премина тръпка. Какво ли ще каже човекът, който знае толкова много, който поради кралската си служба е бил неотлъчен свидетел на живота зад високите стени на кралските резиденции?
Интересът беше разбираем, но имаше и силна тревога. Какви от грижливо пазените вековни кралски тайни ще излязат наяве? От двореца му напомниха, че отивайки на работа там, е дал клетва да няма очи и уши за онова, което вижда и чува, но все пак той го описа в “Кралска служба”.
Книгата излезе и историята в нея е наистина шокираща. “Кралска служба” е наистина много различна от всички други книги за живота на лейди Ди, защото авторът е видял това, което пише.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Royalty, History, Autobiography, Biography Memoir

412 pages, Paperback

First published February 29, 2000

About the author

Over the course of 21 years, Paul Burrell rose from member of the Royal household staff to personal attendant to the Queen of England and then butler to the Prince and Princess of Wales. Ultimately, he became the trusted personal assistant and confidante to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. In 2003, he published his autobiography, A Royal Duty, which included his personal account of his Royal service and his close friendship with the late princess, who was arguably one of the world’s most popular and beloved public figures. This book was a London and New York Times number 1 best seller and sold in excess of 3 million copies worldwide. His next book, The Way We Were – Remembering Diana, was also a best seller throughout the world.

In 21 years of service to the British Royal family, Paul Burrell worked closely in and around some of the most beautiful homes and palaces in England. In actuality, his travels included far more than Great Britain and Europe, as his years of service gave him first‐hand experience of the most interesting houses in virtually every corner of the world. His exposure to fine homes, priceless art collections and furnishings has provided Burrell with all manner of expertise and he has become a taste arbiter and expert in food, wines, furnishings, flower arranging, etiquette and entertaining, especially in the English style.

Today, Paul Burrell resides in Farndon, Cheshire where he runs his flower shop and in his leisure time, paints watercolours. As a unique witness to Royal history, he is regularly asked to participate in TV and film documentaries. Having known personally almost every member of the current British Royal family, his credible insight is much sought after. As a TV correspondent, Burrell has provided commentary for the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen and for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first chapters of this book are of Paul Burrell's rather boring life as a child. Just like the most famous Hovis advert ever. An idealised view of poor-but-honest people in the mining villages up North. It's not phenomenally interesting.

The next section is Paul getting a job as the lowest of the low, dish washer, in Buckingham Palace and working his way up to 12 years service as the Queen's footman. The revelations of life in the Palace are quite entertaining. Lower orders are not allowed to walk down the middle of the carpet, housemaids must hide in cupboards when royalty pass. LOL. It's a whole town in there, 300 people sneaking large quantities of gin and enabling the Queen to run the country. Or whatever it is she does most days. The dining arrangements are three dining rooms (or was it four), lower orders right up to the Ladies in Waiting all of whom are aristocracy themselves and get wine with their meals. The Queen is the camp of people Paul likes (like most people in the UK who aren't mad keen to get rid of the freeloaders aristocracy and replace the system with a republic. Actually they mostly like the Queen too.

The Queen, revealed elsewhere, is a great deal more in touch than people realise as one of her best friends is the working class lady who rose to be her ddresser (and seamstress and dress designer) and when in Windsor pops out for afternoon tea and telly with her most afternoons. I like the idea of that.

Then we have Paul marrying a housemaid and leaving Buckingham Palace to go down to Highgrove with the newly married Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Paul does not like Prince Charles very much. Prince Charles doesn't squeeze his own toothpaste (for real), throws books when he has a tantrum and shouts, petulantly, "I'm going to be King." Hopefully, not. He's way too out of touch. All his friends seem to be fellow aristocrats. I was going to say he doesn't have the common touch, but I'd be wrong, he has Camilla, and you can't get more common than that. Money and a cut glass accent doesn't enoble the character of a married woman who takes up with her ex-lover right after his wedding and appears to have no interests other than drinking and redecorating a palace.

Prince Philip, who didn't like this book, wrote to Diana, "No one in their right mind would give up you for someone like Camilla." I wonder how he got over that one with his son? Paul kind of likes Prince Philip because PP liked Diana and Paul is utterly and completely obsessed with Diana, or at least she's his meal ticket for life and that's a good kind of obsession.

Paul presides over the break-up of Charles and Di's marriage, lying here, covering up there, spying there. Good section. He entirely takes Di's part, as do I. She was just the last aristocratic virgin in Britain and therefore suitable to be a brood mare for an heir and a spare. Poor girl. There she was in that huge meringue dress, still a teenager, marrying a prince who said, at their engagement when asked by a reporter, that yes he did love Diana, "whatever love is" and gave Camilla a bracelet with their entwined initials the night before his wedding.

Diana when asked if she thought he would be a good king said, "I think a life in Provence would really rather suit him more." Sly girl, with that reference to her late great uncle, the king who abdicated and got exiled to France over his love for a fellow nazi sympathiser enthusiast, Wallis Simpson.

There is a long passage of life in Kensington Palace on a skeleton staff with Princess Di who is apparently a saint, patron saint of fashion anyway. Actually I like Princess Di a lot, I had a small moment with her myself. Yes really.

There I was on a secluded beach on a very expensive little island with my hand-painted t-shirts displayed in coconut and sea grape trees when a lady comes over and starts going through them. She holds them for someone else to see. It is Princess Di and her kiddies. They are sitting not 10 yards away from me! I look at her and she waves. The lady asks if she can take some t-shirts over and then brings some back and pays for the ones Princess Diana kept. She mouths over "They're lovely" and gives me a big smile and another wave.

My friend, on hearing this, who had the only hotel on an even tinier island sent over to Princess Diana's hotel a selection of sarongs. Next day they were returned by the boatman with a verbal message, "The Princess does not accept unsolicited gifts." And she was so hoping for a note of thanks she could frame and use in her advertising. LOL.

Because of selling her t-shirts, I had several very famous and rich clients coming to me for commissions. So yeah, I was a major Princess Diana fan.

Bet you never thought I was a t-shirt artist and vendor? It was very lucrative, I sold to three hotels as well, and I only had to bestir myself from my mountain-top studio once a week.

So there we have Princess Diana at Kensington Palace, Di doing the land mine thing, the HIV thing and other humanitarian work. Also Di having an astrologer, colonics and two holidays in two different countries in two weeks. She's queen of hearts for true, she's running a stable of men, up to 9 at a time. This is the kind of social life when you are rich, beautiful Princess. All men who can afford an expensive dinner a dozen red roses have a go, and she has a lot of free lunches.

And so it goes, revelations, minor gossip. bits of hatred directed at Charles and Camilla, smaller darts towards Princess Margaret and the old lush in the flowered hat otherwise known as "Granny" (she hates smoked salmon sandwiches but loves gin). Eventually we reach the Death of the Princess and Paul really comes in to his own and her own comes into his house. Which causes a lot of problems and a very major amount of hatred directed at the Spencers who are, it has to be admitted only not called sleazy because they are filthy rich aristcrats and the British are more used to touching their forelocks to posh people that seeing how despicable some people are, income level and birth be buggered.

That is the end of the book-book about Royal Duty. Then we get to the Butler's Story. Paul ends up accused of theft and various other crimes. Charles could clear him, but won't, William could clear him, but won't, but eventually the Queen, probably to save Prince Charles being called as a witness into a court full of a feeding frenzy of media sharks, saves him. She says something one day, he repeats it to the right people the next and two days later Paul walks free.

And writes this book.

All good. But then he indulges in self-pity and how awful it is to be famous. Oh please... you're rich and living off a dead woman and you hint that you will never, ever, ever let anyone know who she was really in love with and lots of other secrets only you were privy too. He will though. He'll get to 75 or something and William will be on the throne and he won't have been asked to the coronation and he'll write his book. Bet you.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a lot of thoughts about this.

I really loved the beginning of the book. The details about what it's like serving the British royals are fascinating. How the castles are run, how the staff are trained and treated, is great stuff. You can tell that Burrell greatly respects the queen and the prince consort, and they treated him very well also. It was interesting seeing first impressions of Princess Diana joining the family, and what it was like for him to switch over to working for the Prince and Princess of Wales. Although he's respectful of Charles, it's pretty hard to hide the fact that the guy is kind of a tool, and always has been, and you can see how Burrell became very fond of the less uptight, more fun, Princess.

And then halfway through, things take a turn for the weird. Once Charles and Diana separate, he lets his freak flag fly, basically. He is so devoted to her, it's to the point of obsession. He admits several times that he was a crappy husband and father, because he spent so much time with Diana. He speaks about her as though she were a goddess, even while admitting that she could be rather capricious and even bitchy. Diana got mad at his wife and didn't speak to her for TWO YEARS even though she lived in a cottage on the princess's property. And did Paul attempt to step in and make peace? Of course not! If Diana hated his wife, well, that's just too bad for Maria, then. What the hell, man?

He started to get more and ingratiating and smug, constantly detailing how close his relationship with Diana became, how many gifts she gave him, how close he was to all her friends. I didn't figure out why until the end, because I didn't realize that he'd been taken to court (supposedly by the Royal Family, but actually by the Spencers), and accused of stealing from Diana's estate. The book is his attempt to set the record straight, but it's weird because it's almost two different books smashed together. One professes his innocence, the other is a tell-all about life in the palace.

Do I think he's innocent? Yes. Do I think he really was her right hand man, and one of her closest confidantes? Yes. Do I think, however, that he is a total basket case, still obsessed with her? Yes. Do I find it super tacky that he kept alluding to a secret only he knew, and would never tell? YES I DO. If you're the Princess's secret keeper, and you feel that confidence extends beyond her death, then stop freaking telling everyone in the world you've got a secret, and then being coy about it. Ugh.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this memoir by Princess Diana's butler and then, post-divorce, her (for lack of a better word) right-hand-person and "handler." I know author Paul Burrell is a controversial figure among "Royals" watchers, but I savored his perspective on the People's Princess and friendship with the woman. I have no idea whether he was, in fact, her "rock," but he surely meant a lot to her -- and his stories are incredibly interesting.

[W · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the memoir of Princess Diana's butler,Paul Burrell.

He began as a servant of the queen and then moved on to the staff of Charles and Diana.Later,when they split,he stayed with Diana.

Though she was not exactly an angel,Diana could do no wrong in his view.It is a fawning portrait,with the author considering himself her closest confidante.Charles,on the other hand,is not portrayed as favourably.

His account of the events leading up to Diana's death,her relationship with Dodi Al Fayed and the aftermath is worth reading. He talks about "someone special" in Diana's life and then says he won't disclose that person's name.

Interestingly,there is no mention in the book of Pakistani heart surgeon Hasnat Khan,with whom Diana was repeatedly linked by the media.They were even the sybject of a movie,Diana.

After Diana's death,Paul Burrell was accused of theft and the matter went to court.It required the queen's intervention for him to walk free.

It is a fairly interesting and readable book.Its factual accuracy is debatable,however.The royal family and Diana's sons were certainly peeved when this tell all book was published.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't understand why the British people hated him for writing this book. If anything it made the royal family look good b/c we were able to understand their side more by him writing Diana's side of the story. It really was a great book. It bothered me that Paul and his family had to go through all that court drama for as long as he did and all of a sudden.,.... poof.... the queen ended the madness in one converstaion that should have taken place a YEAR EARLIER!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never, that I recall, read a trashy "tell-all" book. I got this book in a mixed genre "lot" I purchased on ebay. It sat on my shelf for a very long time, until the anniversary of Princess Diana's death a few weeks ago, got me to thinking about pulling this one out. It didn't read like a gossip book. It was about the life of butler Paul Burrell and his close relationship to the princess. About half way through it, I started to get tired of it. All these rich spoiled people and the back stabbing etc. Mr. Burrell seemed to have gotten caught up the cycle so much so that he put his own family on the back burner so he could be as involved as possible in the daily life of Diana. It was all rather pathetic. She never should have allowed staff to become confidants, although many isolated wealthy people have found staff to be over loyal. In this instance, her taking the butler into her confidence and allowing him to have access to personal papers etc, came back to bite him, when he was accused of stealing personal items that had belonged to Diana. The court case fell apart, but his entire life was wrecked. Ultimately, a depressing book. Interesting at times but could have been cut a little shorter as it started to become redundant.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting if gossipy.
Not sure why the bulter and author feigns surprise at the response of Diana's sons. He is very disingenuous in pretending anyone put them up to asking him to not publish. How devastating for them. At the same time, they pay their employees appalling little for basically round the clock labor. Not sure why 'the firm' thinks it's such an honor to pick up their stanky drawls. Loyalty is best expected on a competitive salary🤷‍♀️

[Mila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first part of the novel, especially the descriptions of the Queen and the whole Buckingham palace life, I found it truly fascinating. But when the focus changed to Princess Diana and Paul's relationship with her and that was..unsettling? I understand that he tried to make her look as human as possible while also telling the truth about the last years of her life. But their relationship was extremely unhealthy, in my opinion. He spent pretty much all the time with her despite having a wife and two kids, just because she was basically paranoid and didn't trust other staff so he did the job of three people all by himself. His wife should be proclaimed a saint for not leaving him even after the princess almost rejected her entirely and didn't speak to her for a year (while her husband did nothing to mend the situation). I think the emotional dependence on both Paul's and Diana's side was way too big and that was the problem.

Overall, that was an interesting and emotional read but a lot of parts concerning Diana were quite unsettling and even controversial in a sense.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Insofar as Burrell gives details into the royal palace and life therein, it's an interesting read for the novelty value. Burrell is a master of the use of full stops (or periods, as Americans say it). The parts about his trial and the life of Princess Diana would only really be enjoyed by a Diana fanatic, and I'm not one. His account of the last two events are tinged with bias and are obviously one sided, but the fact of the matter is that his trial collapsed and he was therefore innocent of the charges. However it does get very annoying when he makes a big deal out of the fact that the late Princess allegedly disclosed some huge secret to him and then childishly refuses to tell the reader (or the inquest into the Princess' death for that matter) what that secret is. Either tell us what it is or don't tell us there was a secret at all! No re-read quality whatsoever, I only paid $3 for it in a second hand book shop and its going straight back to said bookshop.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burrell tells this sad story with love and respect. Their friendship must have been wide and deep. It's obvious that this emotionally dependent and abandoned Princess needed someone. With two sons the same age has her sons, and a friendly wife, and a good understanding of the people in her life, Paul Burrell was perfect for meeting Diana's need for emotional support. Her needs matched his need for friendship and laughter as well his sense of duty, commitment to the monarchy and workaholic streak. As we read on, we realize his emotions are as honest and genuine as hers were.

This book lays bare the hypocrisy of the Spencer family, the originators of Diana's troubles. It further amplifies the popular, but inappropriate, funeral oration of her brother. Diana's prescient letter about her own death leaves us with a Warren Commission kind of feeling. Do the circumstances of her death, in any way, relate to Burrell's subsequent legal problems?

Was Diana, as she writes the Duke, a family-facilitated cover for Camilla whom, as it was presumed at the time, Charles could never marry? Is Camilla a decoy for our attention for a Charles we cannot imagine? Why was Charles told that Burrell sold Diana's gifts?

Burrell is ever loyal. He describes upstairs downstairs life- the staff walks on the edge of the fluffed up carpet, when you get promoted you get a better bedroom, funny antics that derive from the need to work unseen, but none of it is sensational. No provocative royal secrets of the family are revealed. We learn only of Diana's private life what she would want us to know. He protects Diana's memory and protects the royal family as well.

The trauma of having the trail was reminiscent of parents of SIDS victims being held as suspects. Maria Burrell was a strong woman to understand Paul and live through this. They are truly exceptional people who rose to an unusual occasion in history,

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book from the first page and it was such an insight into life working for the Royal family and the life of Diana Princess of Wales.
Will reread this book another day as I enjoyed it so much.
Highly recommended.

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I can't believe that this was published over 20 years ago! Where has time gone? I think most British people remember where they were/what they doing when they heard about the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. It was a very sad time & one of the few instances then when the monarchy were not in step with the mood of the country. On to the book.

The book's author hails originally from Derbyshire & the first few chapters are about his early life, but the bulk of the first half is mainly about his early career working at Buckingham Palace. I found it fascinating reading about 'behind the scenes' of royal life. I'm not a fervent monarchist, but I respect it as part of our national history & heritage, even if I don't always agree with it. A big part of that though was Queen Elizabeth II herself, I'm not so enamoured of King Charles III (King Charles I & II were not exactly resounding successes) but we'll see.

Anyway, I'm not entirely sure why the Royal family were so critical of this book as it mostly portrays them in a favourable light. Princess Diana is shown as the author saw her - she had her flaws (who doesn't) but Burrell obviously adored her. Perhaps a little too much at times. The constant remarks of being close with the Princess, being relied about by her, etc etc, were just a little too laboured & it seems as if sometimes his own family came in second. Diana's death - shocking as it was for the general public - must have been difficult for those who knew her personally. The abiding memory must surely be her two young sons, mired in grief, walking behind her coffin.

The final chapters deal with the fallout from the short-lived court case. I vaguely remember the whole debacle, & couldn't understand why the Royal family didn't intervene earlier. This book went some way in explaining it & even after what he was put through, Burrell still has kind words to say about the Queen especially. The whole thing was a farce from start to finish &, if this book is accurate, Scotland Yard seem to have behaved very strangely, even the judge seems to have been nonplussed at some points.

Overall I found it an informative & interesting read. There have been other books written which were much more damaging to the Royal family than this one, so I'm not quite sure why this was viewed with such scorn by so many. Yes it's a highly subjective biased view, but then that's the nature of autobiographies. I found it well worth reading.

[S.P. Mount · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago and remembered when I saw it here, that I really, really enjoyed it back then. let me begin by saying that the Butler did it.

What I enjoyed most about it was the insight into the life of the Royals at Buckingham & Kensington Palaces, the awe and amazement that Burrell gets across of the young princess being portrayed as vulnerable as anyone else, a normal young woman, a tad spoiled perhaps, but overwhelmed and having to deal with everything that was happening to her under the world's microscope. It also touches on the early days of William and Harry and what they were like as children.

In general, it struck me that Diana's relationship with Burrell was more like any woman's whose best friend is a gay man (the question of his sexuality irrelevant to me; completely unaware of that at the time of reading this book) and not entirely suggestive of the class distinctions. If you like to read about the Royals, this book is written in a simplistic, tell all style which for me was a pleasure to read. It gives a good picture too, of the infrastructure below stairs, the kinds of things that go on in the staff quarters.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome read !
Simply loved it.

I’m absolutely crazy for Princess Di & so love reading anything & everything on her.
In past, I have read 4 books on her but this book was something different.
This is written by Paul Burrel, Princess’s butler .

He had begun his life in the Palace as a footman of the Queen & then rose ,to become to the most confident of Diana, the Princess of Wales. He was completely devoted to her , he adored her . As addressed by him , Boss - she was sort of demi-god for him. And she, equally respected him & they both cherished this friendship, this bonding.
She was dependent upon him for everything under the sun and Paul was the strongest pillar of her life.
He was the only one , who had reached to her first after her death.
How he handled everything was just brilliant!

Never knew that he was accused of the theft & was dragged to the court by the Spencers & it was the Queen , who had intervened to pull him out and set him free.

The book actually takes us on the tour to the life inside the Palace. I was fascinated to know how the Royals live & function.
This book also breaks the myth on how good the Spencers were & actually, they were the ones , who were the most troublesome.

Uptill now , I had a different image of the Queen but this book gives us a different picture of the Queen & her & Dukes relationship with Diana. Paul has immense respect for the Queen.

Paul, hasn’t revealed any Royal Secrets which can harm them, neither has he revealed any secrets of Diana.

Diana’s letter about her own death in car accident- now, that was the most shocking part.

Paul’s wife Maria , Was the pillar of his life. Immense respect for that woman, who had to go through what not in her life .

Thank you Paul , for this book , it was extremely necessary for the world to know all these.
Can read this again and again. Simply loved reading it.
Paul Burrel , the butlee - the true keeper of ‘ her secrets’.

[A B · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a saying along the lines of "Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't."

Paul Burrell spends over 400 pages describing innumerable instances in which he believed he served as Diana's faultless knight in shining armor. He repeatedly uses words such as "heroic" and "discrete" (!) to describe himself, which struck me as increasingly strange as the book plodded on. Also, Paul has a wife and family but yet states clearly that his loyalty was/is foremost to Diana - all day, every day.

It doesn't take someone with a graduate degree in psychology (which I have, I should add) to realize Paul Burrell (and Diana, to be honest) have some issues. Most likely, codependency.

Don't read this book if you're hoping to learn a great deal about Princess Diana. If self-congratulatory butlers are your thing, though, this is the book for you.

[Salam Ch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am done with this book not interested in the butler or footman's autobiography. my aim was lady Di biography so dropped it and watched a 3 hours documentary about her life and her interview with Martin Bashir instead.

[Mostafa Mostafa · Rating 1 out of 5]

it is apparent that mr burell intended to sell HIS biography making use of his publicity regarding his relationship with diana...
i didnt expect that..i began reading expecting it to be a lady diana book..i waited till page 100 and diana barely appears...
i hate this book :/ such a disappointment

[Mary Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit it. Watching "The Crown" and being unable to avoid the soap opera in which Harry is currently starring has stirred up a voyeuristic fascination with the British monarchy. My interest is less about the tabloid gossip and palace intrigue, and more about the traditions, duties, and the nuts and bolts of an institution that's been around for 1000 years. As a cog in that wheel, Burrell sheds a dim light on his little corner of that world.

The main thrust, as is obvious from the cover, is Diana. But as Burrell regales us with the chronical of their relationship, we see glimpses of the the daily routines of some of the royal family, the protocol, the hiring, dismissal, and duties of the staff, etc. which I find fascinating (although I still have lots of questions about the role of ladies-in-waiting).

Rather than the late night visits of Charles to see Camilla, I'd have rather heard about how the ceremony around weddings, funerals, etc. is coordinated. From the sound of it, Burrell just showed up in his livery and hopped on the back of the carriage carrying the Queen and Duke (which, I learned, has hand brakes to prevent them from running into decelerating horses). Obviously, a lot more preparation goes into it. I'd love to be a fly on the wall in those planning meetings.

As for the drama, Burrell is fairly discreet when it comes to unflattering behavior of the royal family, and claims great support for the individuals and the institution. It's the Spencers who come out of this memoir tarnished. But still, I wouldn't like a trusted member of my household staff (if I HAD a household staff) sharing even the most mundane conversations that occurred in private moments.

[Briony · Rating 2 out of 5]

a look behind the curtain

most would assume the book would be about princess diana (the cover most definitely leads you to believe it) but it’s about her butler (paul burrell) and his life, before and after her. that might throw readers off at first but then it dives right into royal life and duty. the book is a window into the The Firm and the cogs in the machine who help it run smoothly. it gives a first hand rendition of the crumbling marriage and eventual divorce of the prince and princess of wales. it also gives a first hand account of the regina v burrell case and how it effected him. i rated this book a 2/5 because it can be very slow at parts. in some cases he gives too much detail in which it could be summed up in a few sentences or very repetitive of certain details. i felt a little slimy while reading due to the fact he swears up and down to love princess diana and want to protect her and her legacy at all cost while using previously unseen pictures of her inside and on the back cover of the novel to sell it to the masses. also i would take some of the things he say with a grain of salt since the novel is written by him and about ~his~ perspective of events. i think anyone going into it and expecting it just to be about diana would not enjoy it as much but it does give an interesting view into how the royal households operate and how the people working for them live and behave.

[Kissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the book's title and cover makes it seem like the focus will be primarily on the Princess of Wales through the author's eyes, readers end up being treated to three different biographical views in one - the autobiography of the author Paul Burrell and biographies of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana (and her family) during his time as footman and butler, respectively. It was fascinating getting a glimpse into the life of both the Royal Household staff and the Royals themselves; something that will appeal to Downton Abbey fans. Burrell does a great job tieing everything together as he explains the historical events around him. There is the occasional moment where information is repeated several times and the timeline gets a bit muddied as Burrell reflects back on certain occasions; despite these flaws, the context is well-written and easy to read through. The photos included are fascinating to look upon after reading about the events they relate to. Definitely would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Princess Diana or enjoys reading about the British royalty.

[Emma's In Stock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an autobiography about Paul Burrell, the butler of Princess Diana, one of the most influential women of our time.

I absolutely adored learning about the intricacies of royal life, and how everything played out behind the scenes. I appreciated the revelation into Charles’ and Diana’s relationship, and other relationships she had, as so many allegations and misconceptions by people who didn’t know her at all have spread like wildfire about them.

The beginning was a little tricky to follow, but once you get used to the style of Mr. Burrell’s writing it gets easier.

All I have to say is the Spencer family has lost every single ounce of respect. While I do see their grief, it does not excuse the fact that their true colors were shown in their persecution of the man that really knew Diana, the man that they hated because of that very fact.

It saddens me immensely to see that people tore each other to shreds in order to claim some semblance, if any, of Princess Diana that they were never able to when she was alive. It just makes her that much more special, because she was the monarch that changed how everyone saw monarchs; she set a precedent that maybe, actually, a figure of the government could actually give a damn.

This is one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. And now, I get emotional whenever I hear Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3.

[Mira · Rating 2 out of 5]

While reading this book I couldn’t help but thinking how disgusting this Paul is. Throughout the whole book he is talking how he is the only person who really knew princess Diana, and that he is the only person she trusted. And when she died he implies that he suffered the most. My opinion is that he is using her legacy to aggrandize himself. The guy is full of sh*t and actually he betrayed her. Whatever he wrote, this book is a betrayal.

[Colleen Crayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intimate view of life before, during, and after with Princess Diana. A compelling read

[Jan Peter van Kempen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically this books is a three-parter: life before Diana, life with Diana at KP and life after Diana or rather: the trial. It is very obvious that mr Burrell dedicated his life to serving HRH princess Diana and being her butler and steady rock. It annoyed me that he completely disregarded his own rock, or rather his wife Maria. I am not really surprised that the two separated some years after the events described in the book. The trial however was quite shocking to read about. I am rather convinced that mr Burrell was indeed innocent and that the Spencer family was behind it. Paul Burrell slightly hinted the fact that Prince Charles was not very helpful with the defense. All’s well that ended well? Not quite, for Paul Burrell still boasts that he is keeping a secret from Princess Diana and he is not willing to share this secret. Sounds like a conspiracy theory to me.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

About the Windsor family, I consider myself well read. Never have I read an account so genuine or so raw with emotion. It is the first book about anyone in this family I have read that seems neither sanctioned nor scathing. It offers a rare glimpse behind royal residence doors.

At once, it confirmed both the person I thought the princess was and the person I thought Charles was during this time. How completely juxtaposed is their demeanor despite each of them growing up amid aristocracy, wealth — dare I say privilege — yet experiencing similar parental neglect and criticism. How differently this manifested in each of their lives. One chose a path of affection, acceptance, humility and philanthropy — in essence giving away to others what she so longed for herself. The other chose a path of narcissism, superiority, entitlement, and churlishness.

Burrell tells the brutal truth even about his own life, his personal challenges and shortcomings. This lends to the credibility of the rest. Interestingly the same can be said about his careful omissions, which not only protect the Princess but himself as well.

It changed my opinions about some things. For a long time, I thought the enemy of the Princess was the Royal Family. Though they are indeed far from perfect, I now believe otherwise. Diana’s own family treated her horribly yet feigned altruism. In my view, they knew their shame and were determined to erase it. And it does seem some dark cloud wanted to blot her out of existence. That only served to solidify her legacy and legend as the People’s Princess with the help of a few brave, honest people like Mr. Burrell.

It’s rare that I ever say I would reread any book, but this is one exception.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

this review first appeared on [http://intraspace.blogspot.com]

i suppose i should start by explaining why i read this book. i can't really think of a good explanation other than the fact that i read the first few pages to see what a royal biography was like and ended up getting hooked. sucker.

i had also forgotten what a huge stink this book made when it was first released. paul burrell, former footman to the queen and butler to diana, was accused of all manner of things when it came out - betraying the royals' trust, profiting from the memory of diana - that kind of thing.

in actual fact i found that this was a very even handed account - only mildly sensational and other than that, just a really interesting insight into the way the royal family functions. the book notches up a gear in the final third with the death of diana and with burrell being charged with stealing diana's personal property.

all the while, the thing that emerges is a story of a butler who is absolutely enamoured with his employer, a man under the spell of diana's charms - to the point of obsession, and at the expense of his own family. burrell sees upholding the memory of the princess as his life's calling. and i think that is a believeable motive, despite the vast sums of money that he has made from the book. although, i have to admit that when i heard the other day that he is planning to release another book on diana soon, his credibility starts to slip. he claims that it is because people are starting to forget her. cynics say it's time to make some more money. i think it is more a factor of an obsessed man who knows deep down that his main importance is in association with diana - without that he becomes little more than an expert on royal etiquette.

i suppose that seems like a bit of mean assessment. when you read the book you sympathise with burrell, and it is surprisingly well-written. and i think it holds true that this book is probably the most crucial one available for anyone who wants to know what life is like behind the windsors' front door.

[Shahrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, I really must thank RedFox5 for very generously sending me this book, as most likely I would have never picked it up to read.

What I read here is a really facinating look behind closed doors of the British Royal family - especially behind Diana, Princess of Wales' door! I although I had heard of Paul Burrell, it didn't mean much to me. I had no idea he had worked for the Queen first - for 10 years! Or that he was married and his wife was also in royal service. The chapter dedicated to his time with the Queen was most interesting. I have always admired the work she does for her country, so it was lovely to have a little glance at her private life.

I think he tried to portray Diana as a real person and he feels that he did it honestly. I could believe what her wrote about her because of that. When ever anyone writes their memoirs, you have to realise they are writing about life as they see it though their eyes and also that they project what they want others to see. I did feel he went a little over the top in his tales of service to Diana. But I can't really I dispute him, as I wasn't there. There are many people totally dedicated to their jobs and/or employers. So Mr Burrell isn't unique in that sence. I find it remarkable that his wife stuck it out with him, I wonder how many relationships could stand up to that dedication to work. I can only guess that the fact she had worked for the royals gave her the knowledge and understanding to stay.

I think Mr Burrelk also raised some very interesting points about Diana's involvement with the Andrew Morton book and the panorama interview, that I'd not previously considered - she did them at very low points in her life, when she and it were in great turmoil. They were not the action of a happy person. Extraordinary circumstances create extraordinary events and relationships.

Mr Burrell hasn't diffused all the mystery surrounding the princess' legacy either, because he dropped many hints of secrets he is keeping for her...

[Barbra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in two minds as to buying this book or not but I felt it only fair to read what the author had written and I am so glad that I did. I am sure that Paul Burrell has written an honest account of his life with the Princess and I also feel that Diana herself would have approved of the book and the way in which it is written. The author obviously only ever had the Princess's well-being at heart and I don't think he would ever have done anything to hurt her or her memory.

Back Cover Blurb:
The untold story behind one the most sensational chapters in the history of the House of Windsor. Paul Burrell fought to clear his name. Now he reveals startling new truths about Diana, Princess of Wales and presents for the first time as faithful an account of her thoughts as we can ever hope to read.
He was the favourite footman who formed a unique relationship with the Queen. He was the butler whom the Princess of Wales called 'my rock' and 'the only man I can trust'. He was accused of theft, then acquitted following the historic intervention of the monarch. He was the Princess's most intimate confidant - and is the only person able to seperate the myth from the truth of the Diana years.
Now, at last, Paul Burrell cuts through the gossip and the lies and takes us closer to the complex heart of the Royal Family than ever before.
It's the story of how a boy from a coal-mining village came to swap terraced streets for gilded palaces. It's a story of shocking secrets, absolute power and unlikely alliances, told through firsthand insights and astounding material, including previously unseen letters and photographs. It's a story that will rewrite history and stand alone as the archive of Diana's time as a royal. It is a moving tribute from a faithful subject to the two remarkable women he served.

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although Paul Burrell was and still is devoted to the late Princess (actually, besotted might be a better word) and has written a book intended to show the world what a wonderful person she was, he unintentionally reveals aspects of her character which were not so wonderful. For instance, what kind of person would pull her employee out of bed, away from his family, in the middle of the night in order to deliver a note to one of her boyfriends (after he had already put in a very long day at work!)? Who would have her transatlantic friend regularly set her alarm clock at 3 in the morning so that the friend could give her a pep talk just to make it through the day ( a day which included such stressful activities as shopping, working out at the gym and visiting her astrologer)? Who would give a devoted employee (Paul's wife, Maria) the cold shoulder because the employee wanted more time with her own children?
Yes, Diana had many lovely qualities, but the image that comes through (from someone who was very close to her) is of a woman who is also demanding, needy, self-absorbed and manipulative.
Towards the end of the book, the author seems to be in the "poor pitiful me" mode which made finishing the book laborious.

[Les · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think reading this book in 2014 gives me a different perspective than if I had read it upon publication.

As a Yank I was a huge Princess Di fan and truly mourned her passing. However time heals all wounds and like many who died young I know think that Princess Diana at 36 eternally is much better than at 50 or 52.

The author, who was always in the right place at the right time for a promotion, claims to have had an unprecedented relationship with the late princess. And he unquestionably adores(adored) her. But his portrayal of her while worshipful unveils a Diana who was not to bright, petty and flighty. Her lack of self-esteem has her rejecting the royals in favor of the real people on the staff.

This book is fairly easy to follow, Diana is good, Charles is bad, Camilla is bad, The Queen is awesome and the Spencers are evil and self-serving, oh yeah and Dodi wasn't the love of her life.

The book details Burrell's plight as the defendant in a theft case when the Spencers and the staff of some royals claimed he was in possession of items that he had stolen.

I really cannot recommend this book.