Princess Diana’s butler Paul Burrell: I’m gay and getting married
Princess Diana’s butler Paul Burrell has come out as gay.
The royal butler, described as Diana’s “rock”, divorced from his wife of 32 years late last year.
He’s now set to marry Graham Cooper, a man he’s apparently been seeing for a decade.
For almost all his life he kept his sexuality secret – with only Primcess Diana knowing, until her death in 1997.
The ex-butler’s spokesman confirmed the news, telling The Sun: “I can confirm their forthcoming marriage.”
Mr Burrell, 57, became famous after he wrote a tell-all book of his life with Princess Diana.
He went on to do TV shows all round the world, and an appearances on reality TV shows I’m a Celebirty Get Me Out of Here and Celebrity Big Brother.
Now he’s set to marry his former business partner, Graham, 58, in a matter of weeks.
A source said: “Paul’s friends and family all know but for a long time he kept it a closely guarded secret.
“And for a time, literally nobody knew.
“He did share it with Diana while he worked with her because they were so close.
“But at the time she was the only woman he felt he could tell.”
Mr Burrell’s two sons, Nick and Alex, only find out the news in recent months, it’s reported, despite the decade long relationship ins ecret.
He had set up a florist business with his previous wife in Cheshire after leaving the royal household.
His family are said to be “delighted” he has found hapiness, and supportive of his decision to come out as gay.
The happy couple are due to tie the knot in a circus-themed wedding ceremony next month at a five-star venue.
They recently celebrated their engagement with close friends at a drag venue in Blackpool, according to the newspaper.
The Sun source added: “They don’t want too many people there and have limited the guest list to close family and friends.
“But it’s going to be suitably lavish. No expense has been spared. Paul sees this as a new chapter in his life.
“They want to let their hair down and enjoy themselves. Guests have a rough idea of where it will take place.
“But to increase the suspense Paul and Graham have kept the exact details of the venue quiet.”
Burrell hasn’t been immune to massive controversy, however.
In October 2002 he was accused of stealing items from the royal household in a globally reported trial.
However the Old Bailey trial collapsed at the last minute when the Queen personally intervened, remembering that Mr Burrell had told her he was safeguarding some of Princess Diana’s possessions.
2017 marks 20 years since Princess Diana passed away, with a special statue being commissioned to mark the occasion.
