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A Royal Duty
by Paul Burrell (Photographer: Patrick Demarchelier)
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Putnam (2003-10-25)
ISBN: 0399151729
EAN: 9780399151729
Dewey Decimal #: 941.085092
Binding/Media: Hardcover - 405 pages
Edition: 1st
Release Date: 2003-10-25
SKU: 20610
Condition: Collectible: Very Good
Comments: Very minor shelf wear, great buy!
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
Diana, the Princess of Wales, was one of the most publicly covered figures in the modern world. Known as "the people's princess," Diana captivated all who knew her. Much has already been written about her life, both professionally and personally, but until now no one has told her story in the way that only one man can-Paul Burrell-whom she described as both "her rock" and "the only man I can trust." Now comes the long awaited book, A ROYAL DUTY by Paul Burrell, the man in whom she confided on matters big and small. Paul, one of the Queen's personal footmen, met Diana during one of her first visits to Balmoral Castle. And while it may have been fate that brought them together, they shared a strong bond that endured to the end of her life. Burrell became Diana's confidant and his unique perspective casts new light on the Princess of Wales and the events that would shape her life and the lives of those around her. At the time of her death there was much speculation about Diana's future plans including her thoughts about remarrying and the possibility of relocating to America. Paul, who was one of the last people to speak with her, hopes to set the record straight for the Princess he so admired and cherished. Drawing on private conversations, personal recollections, diaries and letters, Paul has written an extraordinary account of a unique time in the history of the Royal Family. When asked why he wrote the book, this is what Paul had to say. "I have made this book as true to her spirit as possible-as inspiring, as loving, as fun. Over the last six years I've had time to reflect on the extraordinary events that I have witnessed. During that time, I have watched and listened patiently as many individuals have claimed to know the truth about the Princess of Wales. I have watched and listened knowing that what was claimed to be the truth is actually far from it. I decided reluctantly to tell what I know to be the truth because I firmly believe that someone has to stand in the Princess' corner and fight for her now that she cannot do so. I welcome the official inquest into her death and it is my hope that it will uncover what really happened that night in Paris. I never thought that I would need to write this book but then I never thought that I would need to redress the balance. I never thought that I would need to defend the Princess against untruths from many different quarters. I was devoted to the Royal Family for many years-first to the Queen, then to the Prince of Wales and finally to the Princess and I remain a loyal subject. But I believe that it is important that the truth is known NOW rather than waiting for the details to emerge in official papers when they are released in 25 years."
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Customer Reviews
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A Royal Duty
Rating  (5)
Date: 2009-06-17
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
This book tells the story of Paul Burrell and how he came to work for the Queen, then for Charles and Diana at Highgrove, and finally for Diana at Kensington Palace. He describes Buckingham Palace as a foreign village on the mainland - its people speak the same language but live in a different world. It is full of behind the scenes information that I found interesting. Some points of interest are, on her birthday without fail, Diana received flowers from Charles who addressed every card, every year until her death, "Dearest Diana." A note in which Diana revealed her fear of a plot to kill her. Notes from the Duke of Edinburgh trying to help with the marriage. Parts of a letter from Diana's brother Charles where he accuses her of having mental problems, and says I view the consternation and hurt your fickle friendship has caused so many, and a letter Diana wrote stating she just longed to hug her mother-in-law. Mr. Burrell also gives details of the week of her death, the funeral, and he attended the family only burial ceremony at Althorp. Then finally, he tells of the court case accusing him of stealing Diana's possessions. I also highly recommend his book Remembering Diana The Way We Were.
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Best book I ever read about Diana!
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-12-02
This book was a delight to read. I felt that I got to see what Diana's "palace life" was really like & what her personality was like. It was also interesting to read about the details of her decorating style. I feel that Mr. Burrell was very respectful of Diana's memory and did not reveal anything that would embarrass her. She was not perfect and this book does reveal her flaws as well. I have read many Diana books & this by far was my favorite one!
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A Royal Obsession
Rating  (1)
Date: 2008-09-14
5 out of 7 customers found this reveiw helpful
I find it stunning that this book would have so many positive reviews. Before I knew that Paul Burrell had made headline news in England for lying on the witness stand and for the fact that his brother-in-law claims Paul Burrell said he had sex with Princess Diana and last but not least cheating on his wife with many men over the years, I was already forming opinions from his own words that he was a certifiable nutjob. The main part of the books consists of him laying the groundwork for how important he was to Diana. He makes it sound like it was the two of them against the world. This comes at the expense of betraying Diana's loyalties as in even the picture he himself paints of her, you know she would have felt betrayed. The book is littered with incidences of his self-serving choices and he sprinkles it with some pity he has for Diana. How unbelievably aggrogant. The rest of the book is a focus on his trial, where he was accused of stealing hundreds of items of Diana's. Why a non-relative would have that many of her things is beyond me even after reading pages and pages of his literal pleading with the reader to understand why he would. For an innocent man, he was terrified of the court proceedings complete with episodes of crying and a suicide attempt. He is obviously the protagonist in the book yet I could see perfectly why people turned against him even though the book was from his point of view. The worst part is that he benefitted from all the relationships and good will that Diana worked hard to achieve in her life because some people testified in favor of him at the trial. I bet they regret that now. He had most people fooled. This is a man with very low-self esteem who was completely obsessed with Princess Diana and her own issues of trust and insecurity certainly worked against her as he sat like a vulture on the shoulder of her life. If he ever truly cared about her he would have respected her sons' wishes that he not write this book. There is a special place waiting for Paul Burrell in Cocytus in the Ninth Circle of Hell. Read this book if you are intrigued by dark and creepy things like Burrell's mental derangement, but don't read it if you are looking for any sort of truth.
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EXCELLENT! Thank you Paul!
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-04-26
1 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
Excellent portrayal of Princess Diana. After reading the book I am convinced even more what a truly remarkable person she was. I feel anyone you thinks this book is a betrayal to the Princess has NOT read it in it's entirety. Mr. Burrell shares his experiences of daily life with the princess like no one can, yet does not bash the monarchy. In fact after reading this book I have a deeper respect for the Queen and appreciation of what Princess Diana had to endure as part of the monarchy. It is obvious by this book that Mr. Burrell is a wealth of information and his goal is simply to keep the memory of Princess Diana alive. Thank you Paul!
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Simply beautiful
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-04-01
This is a book that lets the reader enter into the intimate world of Princess Diana. And I think that her butler is the right person to do that job becuase he was near the Princess almost 24/7 and he doesn't belong to her real family so, in a way, he's allowed to talk and speak the truth.
I really liked this book a lot and when i finished reading it I was glad to know that the real Diana was just as I imagined she would be, aside from the headlines and the big pictures, just a simply beautiful human being.
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