Paul Burrell, Princess Diana’s former butler, has sharply criticized Prince Harry for his statements during his recent court appearance.
The ongoing legal battle between Harry and Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) centers on allegations of phone hacking and other illegal activities aimed at obtaining information about the prince’s private life.
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In that regard, Burrell became a central figure in the proceedings. The prince alleged that a 2003 British tabloid article claiming that he had a disagreement with Prince William regarding a meeting with Burrell was illegally obtained.
What did Prince Harry say about Paul Burrell?
In his witness statement, Harry referred to an article published by MGN about Paul Burrell, claiming that it accurately described Prince William’s willingness to meet with the former butler to discuss his revelations about his mother.
However, Harry strongly expressed his own opposition to such a meeting, based on his negative perception of Burrell’s character.
The prince emphasized his and Prince William’s strong feelings regarding Burrell’s indiscretions, including selling Princess Diana’s possessions and giving numerous interviews about her.
Harry firmly believed that his mother would have expected privacy in death, especially from someone she had trusted.
He expressed disapproval that his disagreement was published in the defendant’s newspapers and acknowledged that the phrase “two-faced s**” used to describe Burrell in the article was the language he himself “would have used.”
Burrell, who had previously faced legal trouble for allegedly stealing royal possessions, expressed disappointment and called Harry’s comments “careless and insensitive.”
The controversy surrounding Paul Burrell’s past
Burrell gained notoriety in the early 2000s when he was accused of stealing hundreds of items belonging to Princess Diana, Prince William, and King Charles III.
The legal scandal intensified when a police raid on his home in 2001 led to his arrest. However, the case eventually fell in court following the intervention of Queen Elizabeth II, who stated that Burrell had informed her after Diana’s death in 1997 that he was safeguarding several royal items.
Paul Burrell’s response
In response to Prince Harry’s characterization of him, Paul Burrell criticized the prince’s assessment of his character as “petulant” and accused him of making defamatory statements.
Burrell vehemently denied the claim that he had sold Princess Diana’s possessions and demanded an apology from Harry, asserting that it was untrue and that he had always protected and cared for both Diana and her children during their childhood.
He expressed confusion over the prince’s current stance, considering the support he had previously received from Queen Elizabeth II, who provided vital evidence that ultimately helped Burrell in his legal case.
Reflecting on his past, Burrell revealed his attempts to overcome the events that occurred two decades ago. He expressed his gratitude for the queen’s intervention, which he felt saved him from unjust accusations.
