A Royal Duty: The poignant and remarkable untold story of the Princess of Wales

I don't think this book is a betrayal of Diana. It is abundantly clear that Paul Burrell was completely and utterly devoted to her and loved her unconditionally, but not in the sense of romance or being in love. But something that went and beyond a servant's duty and loyalty.It struck me that he was like the family, friend , sibling , mother, father figure she never had. Someone who was there for her no matter what. Someone she had at home waiting to welcome her, at the end of the phone. A constant and reliable presence in her life. I have red some other books about Diana, including the protection officers, etc and they say she could be difficult; she was not perfect (as no one is), but Paul Burrell accepted her, warts and all, and she came to trust him. I expect as someone who was really there for her and wanted nothing in return.Burrell does not paint himself as the indispensable and sole person in Diana could rely on ; he mentions others in her inner circle and others are named in the book. It struck me that he was an honest man. The book was not a showcase of 'me, me, me'. He does not promote himself as indispensable to Diana. He is just simply recalling their time together, without revealing any sensitive secrets or betraying Diana confidences. Mot we had read about elsewhere and in some cses he sets the record straight .Therefore imagine the impact of her sudden death on him ( In addition to the children and closest circle). It was bad enough for the public , most of who had only ever read about her. He was the first person closest to her to arrive in paris ( together with her driver) and see her body. On autopilot, he had brought her liptick and powder compact and rosary before he set off from kensington palace; in his grief he had asked for a dress and shoes from the Ambassadors wife in paris to clothe Diana and chose something from the ambassadors wifes wardrobe himself. As he expected they might have dressed Diana in an 'awful shroud' and she would not like that he said..He requested that Diana spend one last time at home, on the night before her funeral. So that she could go out from the front door one last time. He held an all night vigil with her coffin on his own and a priest. He prayed and talked to her all night.Utterly devastated and loyal to the end.Then what happens? Her family turn against him in time, he gets accused of theft of her things wih tuns out to be untrue , etc...I think he had some bitterness after this and wrote this book to show the closeness he nd Diana shared, which was beijg dimissed; he was seen as just her butler.Diana's death was a traumatic event for most, more so for Paul Burrell, who has never got over it ; additionally as he was also first on the scene so to speak to see her body before it had been properly been tidied up. He brought the clothes for her to be dressed in, the lipstik, shoes, the rosary he asked the nurse to place in her hands. The blood stained bag of cut up clothes that had been delivered to kensington palace after, which Diana had been wearing when she died. Paul Burrell received this and had to deal with this further trauma. He reports nightmares and being unable to slep in the aftermath, finding solace only at the bottom of her wardrobe, where he slept amongst Diana's clothes and scent.Everthing he describes points to the grief, maybe even post traumatic , but , he was considered as just the butller who maybe tried to get above his station. At a time like this, who could he talk to? Only Diana's most inner circle who knew . In a different world, i think healing and grieving might have been more bearable if it had been shared with the Princes but there was no ongoing contact after her death. He was the butler, his employer hs died, so he has to find other employment. Later on, after the book hsd been written, he declined a private request to meet Prince William. You have to read the book for context.In conclusion, i don't think he's betrayed Diana. Now others , including former protection officer, body guard, private secretaries, have written books. Burrell probably knew her best and there's a lot unsaid and that will probably go to the grave with him. If the princes want to know more about their mother,thay should make contact with him. Its unlikely Diana's name is mentioned in the Royal household.A separate book or analysis by an appropriate psychologist should be written about the unique perspective ,grieving and trauma that Burrell underwent in the aftermath of Diana's death. Unique as it was world- wide grief and Burrell was not a family member but just as grief stricken yet could not openly share it with the world or the trauma he underwent in those first few hours, days, months, years because of confidentiality/ discretion May explain a lot of things, inluding the effect on his family.

I was in two minds as to buy 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 of 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 separate 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.

Loving this book. Lots of nice pictures . How lucky was Paul to be so close to the princess. Arrived quickly.

A must-read if you were a fan of Diana Princess of Wales and her humanitarian work. It was a pleasure to read and remember her life...

this is an incredible read, lots of detail about how the royal house hold is runpaul has put this together very well even down to prince phillips toothpastei do not want to give too much away, the author avoids any smuttiness or murky detailsthe book is a very good read and well done to paul, if you are thinking of buying this book, dont think just buy ityou will not be dissapointedTommydublin