Former royal butler Paul Burrell has made explosive claims about his time working in the royal household, alleging a shocking confrontation with King Charles during his marriage to Princess Diana. The revelations come from Burrell’s new book The Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana, which is set to be released on September 11.

A Confrontation in the Library

In an excerpt published by the Daily Mail, Burrell recalls being “summoned to the library” by Charles after an uncomfortable exchange with Diana. According to Burrell, Diana had phoned late one night asking to speak with her husband. Burrell said he couldn’t find Charles and assumed he was out.

When Charles confronted him the next day, he reportedly demanded to know why Burrell hadn’t simply told Diana that he was unavailable. Burrell claims he asked: “Are you asking me to lie for you?” — to which Charles allegedly shouted: “Yes, I am. Yes, I bloody am!” before slamming his fists on the desk.

Things then escalated. According to Burrell, Charles declared: “I will be king of this country one day and you WILL do as I say.” Burrell alleges that the now-king then picked up a book and hurled it across the room, ordering him to leave immediately.

A “War Zone” Marriage

Burrell describes the relationship between Charles and Diana as a “war zone” — something many staff members did not fully grasp at the time. He recalled Diana as a “city girl” uninterested in the traditional country pursuits Charles adored, such as hunting and riding.

Burrell also recounts one of the most heartbreaking moments Diana shared with him: shortly after Prince Harry’s birth in 1984. According to Diana, Charles entered the hospital room, saw Harry’s red hair, and commented: “Oh, red hair.” When Diana reminded him it was a Spencer family trait, Charles allegedly replied coldly: “Well, at least I’ve got my heir and spare now — and I can return to Camilla.”

Diana reportedly told Burrell she cried herself to sleep that night, realizing her marriage was doomed.

Sharing the Truth with William and Harry

Years later, in 2017, Burrell says he told Princes William and Harry about that painful episode when they met at Diana’s former Kensington Palace apartments. He recalled William listening intently, while Harry stared at him in disbelief, seemingly absorbing the weight of his mother’s pain.

Other Royal Relationships

While Burrell’s accounts of Charles are damning, he speaks highly of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. He says both offered Diana support during her struggles, with Philip even writing to her, questioning why Charles would prefer Camilla over his wife.

Burrell’s book promises more behind-the-scenes details of life inside the royal household, adding yet another layer to the complex history of Charles and Diana’s turbulent marriage.

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on Burrell’s claims.

What Queen Elizabeth II really thought when Meghan Markle skipped Prince Philip’s funeral… Meghan’s absence was explained by her pregnancy, but a remark allegedly from the Queen – “Thank goodness Meghan is not coming” – shocked the public. Was it true relief… or a deeper hint at an unhealable royal rift?

On April 9, 2021, Prince Philip – the Duke of Edinburgh – passed away at the age of 99. His funeral, held on April 17 at St George’s Chapel, was a historic and somber moment. But one absence overshadowed the day: Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was not by Prince Harry’s side.

At the time, Buckingham Palace announced that Meghan was heavily pregnant with Lilibet and had been advised by her doctors not to fly. Yet, according to royal insiders, her absence was far from universally accepted.

Royal biographer Tom Bower later claimed that Queen Elizabeth II privately told her aides: “Thank goodness Meghan is not coming.” Those six words sparked a wave of speculation about what the Queen truly felt about Meghan’s presence at such a delicate time.

Harry and Meghan’s controversial Oprah interview before Philip’s death

Just weeks before Philip’s passing, Harry and Meghan sat down with Oprah Winfrey in a bombshell interview broadcast worldwide. Their revelations of mistreatment, family tensions, and painful personal experiences shook the monarchy to its core.

Prince Philip, who was in hospital at the time, reportedly described Harry’s decision as “madness.” Many within the royal circle believed the timing of the interview was disastrously insensitive – given Philip’s fragile health and Queen Elizabeth’s advancing age.

Brand expert Nick Ede reflected:

“The timing was bad. Whatever the date, the impact would have been huge, but airing it while Prince Philip was in hospital only intensified the backlash. It made them look ruthless.”

Meghan’s “bad taste” gesture at the funeral

While Meghan did not attend, a carefully crafted wreath from Harry and Meghan was placed at Philip’s funeral, complete with a handwritten note from Meghan. But what shocked many was the accompanying press release that explained the symbolic meaning behind each flower chosen.

Critics branded the move “sickening,” accusing the Sussexes of turning a solemn event into a publicity opportunity. As Nick Ede bluntly put it:

“A press release about a funeral wreath is extremely bad taste. Instead of showing care, it looked like they were trying to benefit from the moment.”

Absences that deepened the royal rift

The following year, in March 2022, a memorial service was held for Prince Philip. Once again, neither Harry nor Meghan attended. Officially, Harry cited lack of proper security as his reason, but royal commentators suggested otherwise – that the couple had boxed themselves into a corner.

Nick Ede explained:

“Having publicly lambasted the royal family, they had no choice but to stay away. If Meghan had appeared, it would have looked like the Queen and royals accepted her behaviour – which they didn’t.”

What it meant for Harry’s bond with the royals

Philip’s passing marked a turning point. As the Duke grew weaker, so did Harry’s bond with his family. The funeral – with Harry walking behind his grandfather’s coffin, alone, under the world’s gaze – symbolised not only a farewell to Philip but also the beginning of an even deeper estrangement between the Sussexes and the monarchy.

And perhaps the most haunting detail remains Queen Elizabeth II’s whispered words about Meghan’s absence – words that, to this day, leave the world wondering: Was it relief, disappointment, or both?