Paul Burrell, Diana's Former Butler

[Denville]

There is no need for burrell to use Dianas lovers in his books.. can't he make a living without intruding on her privacy and that of the people in her life who were genuinely devoted to her...

 

[Osipi]

What we have to remember is since Diana's death, Burrell sees himself as "her rock" and he needs to insert whatever he can that shows that he was privy to things everybody else wasn't.

That's how I see it anyways.

 

[Denville]

What we have to remember is since Diana's death, Burrell sees himself as "her rock" and he needs to insert whatever he can that shows that he was privy to things everybody else wasn't.

That's how I see it anyways.

I agree tat he has an obsessive attachment to Diana. however mostly I'm afraid, what he has done has been for money, and I think that its horrible to use a man like Khan, to intrude on HIS privacy, to sell a book. Khan was one of the people who were truly attached to Diana and have not "sold her out" to the press...

 

[Osipi]

That's one thing I do admire about Hasnat Khan. He kept their relationship private and personal.

Its rare these days to find anybody that publishes a book without the aim of financial benefit from it. Publishing is a dog eat dog world. Burrell just joined that crowd.

 

[Elan]

But would it really be better if none of us knew Hasnat's condition near the end?
I hardly think so. Especially a poignant small episode of no words exchanged. That's why the story is so effective.

Other than Scotland Yard taking extreme dislike to him while crashing his place, no benefit of the doubt accorded, and carting out every last item from the home, I don't quite see the animosity. I understand the "rock" part, but he receives little credit as a kid from the other side of the tracks, who vaulted himself to admirable heights within the RF.

Some fellow butler in Scotland remarked after 'Royal Duty' that "he ought to be shot" for disclosing parts of Diana's life...does that not strike anyone as just a little sanctimonious?

 

[Denville]

If you don't see anything wrong with endlessly re hashing about Diana's private life in the media and divulging stuff about her friends who DID NOT want to be in the media, I can't agrgue.

 

[Elan]

It would nice to know who some of them are that are upset about being mentioned.. Bryan Adams?

 

[XeniaCasaraghi]

But would it really be better if none of us knew Hasnat's condition near the end?
I hardly think so. Especially a poignant small episode of no words exchanged. That's why the story is so effective.

Other than Scotland Yard taking extreme dislike to him while crashing his place, no benefit of the doubt accorded him, and carting out every last item from the home, I don't quite see the animosity. I understand the "rock" part, but he receives little credit as a kid from the other side of the tracks, who vaulted himself to admirable heights within the RF.

Some fellow butler in Scotland remarked after 'Royal Duty' that "he ought to be shot" for disclosing parts of Diana's life...does that not strike anyone as just a little sanctimonius?

Burrell is a backstabbing lowlife who is still milking his 15 mins just like Andrew Morton. Whatever Hasnat did after Diana died is nobody's business!

If you don't see anything wrong with endlessly re hashing about Diana's private life in the media and divulging stuff about her friends who DID NOT want to be in the media, I can't agrgue.

QFT, this low life scum won't let this woman rest in peace as long as he can make a buck and be on TV.

 

[Elan]

Whatever Hasnat did after Diana died is nobody's business!

Since her life meant something to the public, emotional impact on Hasnat is not something to be swept under the rug. I don't see what purpose that would serve. No man as intimately close as he was would want people oblivious to the impact on him. Burrell paid him a compliment as far as history is concerned.

QFT, this low life scum won't let this woman rest in peace as long as he can make a buck and be on TV.

Was hoping for an honest opinion, with examples to substantiate a point. I've seen him on TV but am not sure why it is a bad thing. Sales of the book must have been enormous for this level of tongue lashing, animosity to prevail.

 

[Denville]

Khan has never wanted his love life with Diana to be a public thing. He has tried to avoid talking to the press and only did so when put in a very difficult position.. and all but forced to do so. So for Burrell to prattle about him is disgraceful.....
And Burrell has used his few years as Di's bultler to make money..NOW 20 years later. It appears he turned up at Windsor for the H wedding

 

[Elan]

The question is not being asked : does he deserve to be even more reviled or hated by detractors for such a stunt; showing up uninvited to someone's wedding ?

Seems a little harsh to equate that with him being some type of scoundrel...as newspaper comments suggest.

 

[Marengo]

I suppose the scoundrel part comes from him selling out secrets of his dead employer and milking it for 2+ decades.

 

[MARG]

That and blackmailing HM. He had no right to remove any of Diana's property from her apartment. I always wondered what he took, what he still had, that made HM suddenly remember she gave him permission to take Diana's private possessions "for safekeeping". As if!

I have to admit to uncharitable feelings when he tried to crash the wedding. I loved it when he was escorted away.

 

[Nico]

This man is a RAT. period.

 

[Osipi]

That and blackmailing HM. He had no right to remove any of Diana's property from her apartment. I always wondered what he took, what he still had, that made HM suddenly remember she gave him permission to take Diana's private possessions "for safekeeping". As if!

I have to admit to uncharitable feelings when he tried to crash the wedding. I loved it when he was escorted away.

I missed that part. Had no clue Burrell was even in Windsor. Perhaps he met up with Tom Markle, Jr. after being escorted away and they drowned their sorrows together at some incongruous pub somewhere.

 

[Curryong]

I do wonder about this man's mental health. Instead of sitting comfortably at home with his husband and a glass of champagne to toast the new couple in front of the telly, he hangs around St George's in Diana's gifts of cuff links and tie in the hopes of injecting himself somehow into the Harry/Meghan story. This is desperation for a few minutes more of fame or a rather pathetic obsession long past its use by date.

 

[Tsaritsa]

I do wonder about this man's mental health. Instead of sitting comfortably at home with his husband and a glass of champagne to toast the new couple in front of the telly, he hangs around St George's in Diana's gifts of cuff links and tie in the hopes of injecting himself somehow into the Harry/Meghan story. This is desperation for a few minutes more of fame or a rather pathetic obsession long past its use by date.

Perhaps it was the one time in his life when he felt he really mattered and was important to someone else's life. I imagine it would be hard to let go of the feeling of self importance one would get from that.

 

[Curryong]

That is quite true, but people who are stable and happy just keep their wonderful memories but then move on to another stage in their lives. Burrell hasn't been married to his boyfriend very long either, saying at the time that he'd met the love of his life.

Paul came here to Australia fairly recently to be in our version of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. His conversation naturally centred around Diana, but at a couple of points Paul became very upset about her. To me that points to someone who is completely obsessed and isn't moving forward from it.

 

[Elan]

During the pre-celebration of the wedding and over the entire weekend we were treated to heartfelt segments concerning mental health, with a speaking out on behalf of the idea of helping such people. Yet his longheld position, and servitude counted to few people, with one exception..Diana.

The fact he's been shunned is not in keeping with any spirit of kindness on behalf of a guy whose life is a struggle compared to the one he once had. Obviously not on the guest list, or seen in the church.. Can any of us imagine an alternate scenario -- Harry personally intervenes to extend an olive branch, whereby Paul is given a seat right next to Elton John.

I do wonder about this man's mental health. Instead of sitting comfortably at home with his husband and a glass of champagne to toast the new couple in front of the telly, he hangs around St George's in Diana's gifts of cuff links and tie in the hopes of injecting himself somehow into the Harry/Meghan story. This is desperation for a few minutes more of fame or a rather pathetic obsession long past its use by date.

 

[Osipi]

We have to remember too that Paul Burrell, as much as he likes to portray himself as a "rock" and "in the know" about Diana's life, in reality what it boils down to is that he was an employee in Diana's household after her divorce. That ended any connection that he had with the royal family and even William and Harry except for when they stayed at KP with Diana.

I didn't see or hear of any other of Diana's staff invited to the wedding and it was purely Burrell's ego that made him even think about approaching the wedding with hopes of being let in. He should have known better.

 

[Purrs]

Was hoping for an honest opinion, with examples to substantiate a point. I've seen him on TV but am not sure why it is a bad thing. Sales of the book must have been enormous for this level of tongue lashing, animosity to prevail.

I think it's the book combined with how he keeps trying to cash in on his connection to her, including appearances on reality shows like "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here (twice in UK and Australia) and Celebrity Big Brother UK.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Burrell#Media_career

I also agree (having read some of what he's said and written) that he is obsessed with Diana and it isn't healthy.

 

[Elan]

I think it's the book combined with how he keeps trying to cash in on his connection to her, including appearances on reality shows like "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here (twice in UK and Australia) and Celebrity Big Brother UK.

I also agree (having read some of what he's said and written) that he is obsessed with Diana...

Career and financial well being mean a lot to the public but...I think if some took a step back from that to look at what actually happened back then, they might see a person whose life took a tremendous hit, then snowballed further from there with the trial and trauma involved. For a number of years he had a real joy in his life despite the rigors that went with it. He found after Diana that it would never measure up to what it had been. William and Harry are chagrinned with him..that does not help his overall popularity.

Money doesn't fix those things.

 

[Denville]

Career and financial well being mean a lot to the public but...I think if some took a step back from finances to look at what actually happened back then, they might see a person whose life took a tremendous dive, then snowballed further from there with the trial and trauma involved. For a number of years he had a real joy in his life despite the rigors that went with it. He found after Diana that life would never measure up to what it had been. William and Harry are chagrinned with him..that does not help his overall popularity.

Money doesn't fix those things.

he is still obsessed 20 years later with someone he worked for, whom according to some reports was increasingly unhappy with his behaviour and who was saying things like "hel'll have to go." Not to mention taking her things, still trying to get on the news at her son's wedding 20 years later? If he really cant' move on from an emotional attachment to Diana at this stage, he needs therapy. he has just gotten married.. why not be happy with his new partner, remember Diana in private and be glad that he now has a good life?

 

[luluflossie]

I agree. Can't stand the man.

 

[Elan]

he is still obsessed 20 years later with someone he worked for, whom according to some reports was increasingly unhappy with his behaviour and who was saying things like "he'll have to go." Not to mention taking her things, still trying to get on the news at her son's wedding 20 years later? If he really cant' move on from an emotional attachment to Diana at this stage, he needs therapy. he has just gotten married.. why not be happy with his new partner, remember Diana in private and be glad that he now has a good life?

When Julie Andrew's Calif. home became a prospect for purchase, it was Paul she showed the brochure to, asking what he thought, and the quarters he would reside in. Trusted as he had been with arsenal of small and large tasks, 'letting him go' then having to start from scratch with other hired help..sounds less than gratifying vs : the ability for decisive quick action taken in past or present circumstance knowing he would intuitively deliver in a manner expected.

 

[Tarlita]

I believe the problem for Mr Burrell is that people and the media endlessly keep asking him about his time with the Princess.
If you met Paul Burrell at a dinner party what else would anyone want to discuss with him.?

 

[XeniaCasaraghi]

When Julie Andrew's Calif. home became a prospect for purchase, it was Paul she showed the brochure to, asking what he thought, and the quarters he would reside in. Trusted as he had been with arsenal of small and large tasks, 'letting him go' then having to start from scratch with other hired help..sounds less than gratifying vs : the ability for decisive quick action taken in past or present circumstance knowing he would intuitively deliver in a manner expected.

What does this have to do with anything that is being discussed.

 

[Elan]

What does this have to do with anything that is being discussed.

The prospect of Diana starting a new life while severing ties with Paul.

 

[Denville]

IM sure she coud find another butler who was not likely to snoop among her private papers, and take her things if she passed away...

 

[Elan]

Denville, if the story of his wife working for Diana in official capacity is an indication, letting him go was the last thing she would've done. Maria worked as her dresser at the time, one day asked to sit down with Diana, announcing she would not be serving in the role much longer..

The $hit hit the fan that day with something on the order, "How could you do this to me after all I've done for you? " Maria was speechless and hurt by it, but it shows how much Diana came to value certain people close to her, and counted upon in her employ.

Maria would get irate when Diana sometimes rang him (in bed) after 12 hour days with some snag or other to work out. Paul would explain it later to calm her down. An estimate should be factored that, however much she valued Maria...multiply 100X's that amount when it came to Paul.