World

Princess Di Ex-Butler Questioned

January 19, 2001 / 6:52 PM EST / AP

Princess Diana trusted her butler, calling him "my rock." For more than 10 years Paul Burrell was her loyal confidant, a comfort and support when her marriage to Prince Charles broke up.

After her death, Burrell helped raise millions for her causes, and won public admiration for keeping her secrets.

So it was a shock when police on Friday questioned Burrell, 42, about the disappearance of some of Diana's property, which reportedly included a lavish wedding gift — a jewel-encrusted model boat.

Burrell was arrested Thursday after officers raided his home near Chester, south of Liverpool.

Scotland Yard said Friday he had been questioned and released, pending further inquiries into "the alleged disappearance of an artifact from a location in central London."

The Mirror said the missing artifact was a $735,000 gem-studded model boat given to Charles and Diana from the Emir of Bahrain. It said police were alerted when the item was put up for sale in a London antique shop three months ago.

News reports said some of Diana's clothes also were missing.

Police released no information on the missing items.

The Mirror on Friday published pictures of a tearful Burrell arriving at a police station after his arrest Thursday night. The tabloid reported that he "broke down and sobbed" as police "ripped up carpets and floorboards in a 12-hour search" of his home. Police refused comment.

Scotland Yard said two other men — aged 48 and 50 — were arrested in November. Neither has been charged.

Burrell, the son of a truck driver, joined the palace staff in 1976 as a trainee footman after completing a college course in hotel management.

Within a year he was made personal footman to Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1986 he and his wife Maria, a former maid to the queen's husband, Prince Philip, were given jobs as butler and maid at Charles' country home at Highgrove in western England. After Charles and Diana's separation in 1992, Burrell went with Diana to Kensington Palace and was regularly seen with her at royal engagements.

Burrell has won praise for not revealing private information about the princess. He has written two books about entertaining and regularly gives lectures around Britain about household tips he learned as a butler.

Burrell was the chief fund-raiser of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, until the end of 1998 when he was told that since the charity no longer was actively raising money, the position wasn't necessary.

In a 1999 interview, Burrell confided that he still missed his boss, saying: "If I could have one wish, it would be to put the clock back and for everything to be like it was before she died."