Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 6, 2025 · Entertainment

Royal Revelations: The Inside Story from Paul Burrell

On 16 August 2001, Paul Burrell was charged with stealing 315 items from the estate of my late employer Diana, Princess of Wales, six from Prince Charles and 21 from Prince William

The Royal Insider: A Peek into the Lives of Britain's Elite

As a former footman and confidant to the late Queen Elizabeth II, Paul Burrell has witnessed firsthand the intricacies of royal life. In his upcoming book, The Royal Insider, Burrell dishes out juicy tidbits about the monarchy, including the secrets behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's departure from the royal family.

A Royal Rebellion: The Fall of the Sussexes

Diana's mother, Frances Shand Kydd, arriving at the Old Bailey for the trial in October 2002.

In January 2020, the news shook Britain as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to leave the royal family. Burrell believes that if only Princess Diana were still alive, history might have been different. "Diana would have wanted Harry to stay to protect and defend his brother and be his wingman all the way to the throne," he writes.

But what really drove the Sussexes to make such a drastic decision? According to Burrell, it was partly due to Meghan's struggles with adapting to royal life. As an American, she found it difficult to understand the culture of the Royal establishment and its rules and protocols. "She would always have second billing to Catherine," Burrell notes.

But there was more at play here than just cultural differences. Sources close to the couple reveal that Meghan's desire for financial independence and her Hollywood ambitions played a significant role in their decision to leave. As royals, they could never be fabulously wealthy like their friends Tyler Perry or Elton John, who have amassed vast fortunes through their entertainment careers.

The trial came to a premature end because of the sudden involvement of The Queen, who said she had been told Paul had taken documents for safekeeping

"Being inside the Royal Family means you're trapped," Burrell explains. "They could never fulfill all of their dreams by being part of it." So, the couple thought they could create their own rules and live outside the royal bubble, free from the scrutiny and obligations that came with being members of the family.

A Life Without Royalty

But has Harry's decision to leave the royal family really worked out for him? Burrell isn't convinced. "They seem to trade on their royal connection – the very thing they wanted to get away from," he writes. It's a strange situation, indeed. If they're not royals, they have no unique selling point; but if they stay connected to the family, they risk being seen as attention-seekers.

The Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles and Paul Burrell attend Royal Ascot in 1987

The Queen: A Loyal and Loving Grandmother

Throughout the tumultuous years of Harry and Meghan's departure, one person remained a constant source of support for them – the late Queen Elizabeth II. Burrell reveals that the Queen was particularly fond of her grandson, who brought warmth and humor to her life. "She loved his jokes and would often laugh at his antics," he recalls.

But despite her loyalty to her family, the Queen did express concerns about Harry's decision to leave. In private, she confided in Burrell that she didn't want him to go, and even went so far as to offer Meghan a olive branch. "You can go back to acting if you want to," she told her.

In the run up to his trial, Paul Burrell writes that the only person he felt he could turn to was the Queen

A Family Divided

As the royal family gathered for a Platinum Jubilee celebration at Windsor Castle, the tension between Harry and his family was palpable. Burrell recounts how the couple arrived unannounced, with their Netflix crew in tow, and made a grand entrance into the Queen's apartment. But not everyone was happy to see them.

Some members of the family left the room in disgust, refusing to return until the Sussexes had departed 30 minutes later. "It was like they were trying to upstage the rest of us," one insider reveals.

Meghan, Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate pictured in 2018. Perhaps the problem, Paul suggests, was that Meghan would always have second billing to the future Queen Catherine

A Final Farewell

On her deathbed, Prince Harry was granted a final visit with his beloved grandmother, who had been struggling with frailty and health issues in the months leading up to her passing. Burrell writes that the Queen's affection for her grandson never wavered, even as she lay dying.

As we reflect on the tumultuous years of Harry and Meghan's departure from the royal family, one thing is clear – the Queen's love and loyalty remained unwavering, even in the face of great change. As Burrell so eloquently puts it: "She was a loyal and loving grandmother to the end."

There is no doubt in my mind that the Queen didn’t want Harry and Meghan to leave, writes Paul Burrell

A Glimpse into Royal Life

In The Royal Insider, Paul Burrell lifts the veil on life behind palace walls. From the Queen's eccentric fashion sense (she would often wear multiple dresses in one day) to her quirky sleeping arrangements (a snood kept her hair in place at night), Burrell reveals a monarch who was both regal and relatable.

We learn that the Queen had to change clothes frequently, sometimes donning up to three different outfits in one day. And as for personal hygiene, she followed an old-fashioned routine – bathing only in the evening, while Prince Philip preferred to shower daily.

The Queen and Meghan during a ceremony to open the Mersey Gateway Bridge in 2018. It was Meghan's first public engagement

With its behind-the-scenes look at royal life, The Royal Insider is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the British monarchy. Burrell's insider knowledge and keen observation skills make this book a thrilling exposé of palace secrets and scandals. Get ready for the juiciest gossip from the royal family – it's all here.

The Queen could not understand all of Harry’s problems but they did, however, have a special relationship – particularly because Harry was something of a joker, says Paul Burrell

Paul carries one of the Queen's corgis off the Royal plane after the family returned from Balmoral one summer