Behind every royal curtain, there’s someone who sees it all—and in Princess Diana’s case, that someone was her devoted butler, Paul Burrell. He witnessed moments that never made the headlines or gossip columns. These are surprising glimpses into the People’s Princess’ private world.
He Quietly Supported Diana During Her Most Difficult Struggles
Paul Burrell quietly became Diana’s behind-the-scenes lifeline. During her well-documented challenges with bulimia, he didn’t judge or question. He simply did what he thought she needed. He would stock yogurts and bananas, make custard by the gallon, and set up towels so she’d feel comfortable.
Diana Expressed Deep Concern Over a Plot Against Her Safety
In a handwritten letter from October 1993—later made public during the inquest into her car crash—Diana confided to Paul something shocking. She wrote that she believed her husband was planning to sabotage her car so he could marry Tiggy Legge-Bourke, a nanny linked to him through rumor.
She Helped a Friend Through Heartache Inside Palace Walls
In 1994, Diana’s friend Rosa Monckton suffered the stillbirth of her child. Instead of mourning privately, the two women arranged something very personal. Diana helped Rosa bury the child in Kensington Palace’s garden. To keep it private, they told staff it was a pet burial.
Charles Allegedly Declared His Family Role Complete After Harry’s Birth
After Diana gave birth to Prince Harry, Charles reportedly told her, “My work is done now. I’m off to the theatre with Camilla.” According to Paul, that single comment said everything about how strained things had become. It’s the kind of comment that lives forever in memory.
Her Relationship With Her Mother Faced Personal Tension
Diana’s relationship with her mom, Frances Shand Kydd, wasn’t a fairy tale. Frances allegedly criticized her daughter for dating men of different backgrounds, something Diana didn’t take lightly. She even had him listen in on their phone calls—calls that ended in tears.
William Made a Heartfelt Promise to Restore Her Former Title
After her split from Charles, Diana lost the title “Her Royal Highness.” She worried she’d have to bow to her sons one day. Paul shared that William told her, “Don’t worry, Mummy. I will give it back to you one day when I am king.”
She Showed Kindness to Those in Need on the Streets of London
Diana didn’t just support charities in front of the camera. She went out in the car with Paul, handing 50-pound notes to women working the streets. She bought them clothes, too. Diana even remembered faces, once getting upset after seeing someone again without the coat she’d bought for them.
She Longed to Marry the Man She Truly Loved
Before Dodi Fayed, there was Dr. Hasnat Khan, a heart surgeon who captured Diana’s heart in a way Paul described as genuine and deep. According to him, Diana was so serious about Hasnat that she begged him to marry her. Paul often played go-between, setting up candlelit dinners and picking out gifts.
Diana Was the Only One Who Truly Understood Her Butler
While Paul was married to a woman during his service, he later shared that Diana knew his real gender identity. He talked about it years later on Good Morning Britain, explaining that the way he helped her pick out jewelry or arrange flowers said enough.
He Believes Diana Still Reaches Out to Him in Dreams
Paul has shared that Diana visits him in dreams, so vividly that he sometimes feels back in Kensington Palace. In one of these dreams, he said Diana asked him why he won’t tell people she’s still around in some form, and he would reply that the world just isn’t ready.
She Was Reportedly Involved in Another Serious Car Mishap
Before the crash in Paris, Diana may have had another major scare on the road. Paul mentioned this during a chat with psychic medium John Edward on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Australia. According to their exchange, Diana had been in a different car incident that never made headlines.
She Dreamed of Starting Over in a Sunny California Town
Malibu, with its ocean views and laid-back vibe, was Diana’s daydream escape. Paul said she wasn’t planning to stay in London forever—she wanted a place by the beach where she could relax with William and Harry, away from the constant attention. She was looking forward to that California sunshine.