The butler who became the Princess of Wales's closest confidant

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Paul Burrell entered Royal Service at 18, eventually becoming the personal butler to Diana, Princess of Wales. While she reportedly called him her "rock" during difficult times, his proximity to the royal family sparked intense scrutiny, legal battles, and a public rift with the Princes William and Harry.

Paul Burrell's career began in Buckingham Palace, where he started as a footman at age 18. To differentiate him from a more statuesque peer, Paul Whybrew, he earned the moniker "Small Paul". He moved to Highgrove House in Gloucestershire in 1987 to work for Charles and Diana, acting as the Princess's butler until she passed away in August 1997.

The relationship between Burrell and the Princess was deeply personal; Diana reportedly described him as the only man she ever trusted. However, this closeness was not universally accepted. Diana's mother, Frances Shand Kydd, viewed him as a "hanger-on grasping at Diana's celebrity." His credibility was also challenged during the 2008 inquest into Diana's death, where Lord Justice Scott Baker noted significant issues regarding his reliability as a witness.

Burrell's memoirs, including the 2003 book "A Royal Duty," caused significant friction within the Royal Family. The publication of his accounts led to a joint statement from Princes William and Harry, who described the book as a "cold and overt betrayal" of their mother's confidences. Beyond the palace, Burrell has maintained a public presence through various reality television appearances and his work as a florist in Cheshire.

In 2017, Burrell married his partner, Graham Cooper, a corporate lawyer. He has since retired to Peckforton, Cheshire, following the sale of his florist shop in 2019. In 2023, he announced he had received the "all clear" from a prostate cancer diagnosis received in 2022.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The complex life of the 8th Earl Spencer, father to a future princess
• The unexpected evolution of a royal icon from nursery assistant to global symbol
• From deckhand to Duchess: The evolution of a royal icon
• The longest-serving heir apparent in British history became King at 73
• The courtier who navigated the monarchy through its most turbulent modern decade
• For nearly three centuries, Britain solved its prison overcrowding by exporting convicts overseas.
• How a midfielder broke records to become a dual Brownlow Medallist
• How a suburban rugby team transformed into the most dominant force in Australian history
• Why your vote might not translate directly into a seat in parliament
• The family sedan that became a global automotive marathon runner
• Singapore's Parliament blends elected representatives with appointed members to ensure diverse, expert-led governance.
• Why English footballers consider the PFA Team of the Year their highest professional honor

More in UK & Ireland: places · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics