Atlanta, GA 11/29/2010 11:06:13 PM
Princess Diana’s former butler will commentate on the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Paul Burrell – who was once described by the late
British royal as her “rock” – believes his intimate knowledge of royal
protocol made him the ideal choice to provide detailed coverage for US
network Fox when the couple marry in London next April.
He said: “You have got to know the way the royals work, their protocol,
their traditions. Next year coincides with Prince Philip’s 90th
birthday and Diana would have been 50 on July 1 so it’s an appropriate
time.”
Paul worked for the royal household family as a footman for Queen
Elizabeth II before becoming butler to Diana and is no stranger to
royal weddings, even serving Diana and Prince Charles their first meal
as man and wife after they married at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral in
1981.
He added to the Chester Chronicle newspaper: “I looked after the
wedding party when they came back for the reception. I was with the top
table – the queen, Prince Philip and the bride and groom. I served them
their wedding breakfast.
“I remember that day so well. It’s etched on my memory. It was so magical and it was a fairytale.”
Paul left the employ of the royal family at the time of Diana’s death in a car accident in 1997.
He was banned from her funeral amid allegations he was trying to “cash
in” on the princess’ death by selling memorabilia and releasing a
tell-all book, ‘A Royal Duty’.
William and Kate will tie the knot at London’s Westminster Abbey on
April 29th 2011, which has been declared a public holiday in the UK.
