The trial of Princess Diana’s former butler, 43-year-old Paul Burrell, has been delayed until the autumn it was announced on Thursday in order not to clash with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Burrell, who Princess Diana once described as her “rock”, was arrested last January and charged with having stolen hundreds of items from members of the royal family.
Now facing a ten-month wait until the trial, he has strenuously denied allegations that he misappropriated belongings ranging from jewellery and clothing to letters written by Diana to her son William. Burrell remained emotionless in the dock at the Old Bailey as he was informed that his case will not be heard until October 14, and spoke only once to confirm his name. The inevitably high-profile proceedings are expected to last at least four to five weeks.
The accused’s solicitor, Andrew Shaw, confirmed that the Jubilee celebrations had been the main reason for the delay in the beginning of the trial. To mark her Golden Jubilee the British monarch will be making a country-wide procession from May to August, with a four-day weekend in June marking the climax of the celebrations.
On Thursday, the court date for another royal butler, Harold Brown, who once worked for both Diana and Princess Margaret, and is also accused of theft of valuables from Diana’s estate, was set for December 2.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
