Princess Diana's Butler Shares Her Private Letter About Prince Harry and Prince William
Paul Burrell, former butler to Princess Diana, has unearthed a never-before-seen private letter from Princess Diana to him. The words are particularly meaningful right now.
In it, she explains, "I love my boys to death and hope that the seeds I’ve planted will grow and bring the strength, knowledge, and stability that is needed."
Paul Burrell, former butler to Princess Diana, has unearthed a never-before-seen private letter from Princess Diana to him. The words are particularly meaningful in the wake of reported rifts between Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Charles after Harry and Meghan Markle suddenly resigned as senior members of the Royal Family.
"I love my boys to death and hope that the seeds I’ve planted will grow and bring the strength, knowledge, and stability that is needed," the excerpt reads. Burrell explained why he was sharing the message now: "They are a mother’s words of unconditional love which are as appropriate today as they were when she wrote them over 24 years ago." At least in Harry's case, the strength to carve his own path must have been extreme. Hopefully reports are also true that the brothers have resolved their differences through secret peace talks.
It seems pretty clear that Harry's thinking of his mother right now. He referenced her specifically (and her death) in a recent speech explaining why he's stepping back. Not only that, but it bears a striking resemblance to Princess Diana's similar stepping-back speech in 1993. He's also said that the paparazzi and British media scrutiny on his family reminds him of what happened to his mom, and he's taking steps to protect his family.
He earlier published another small excerpt (from what I'm assuming is the same letter). He explained, "In my heart I know that she would want Harry and Meghan to be happy above all else. Yesterday I found a letter which the Princess wrote to me so many years ago and one line jumped out from the page. In her hand she wrote...'I would look up and laugh and love and live.'" You can swipe to see the excerpt:
(Image credit: @officialpaulburrell)
Really sweet, and really poignant.
Princess Diana's Most Iconic Fashion Moments
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(Image credit: Mirrorpix)
August 9, 1997
Princess Diana visited Bosnia to raise awareness of the landmines in 1997. The royal wore her Cartier watch and Tod's loafers.
(Image credit: Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library)
May 22, 1997
Princess Diana visited The Shaukat Memorial Hospital in Pakistan. She wore a traditional blue ensemble and carried a handbag from Tod's, which is named after her.
(Image credit: Tim Graham)
April 21, 1997
Princess Diana wore a Chanel tweed suit set and carried a handbag designed by Lana Marks while visiting the British Lung Foundation.
(Image credit: Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library)
January 13, 1997
For a visit to the Luanda airport, Princess Di wore Superga sneakers.
(Image credit: Mitchell Gerber)
January 1, 1997
Princess Diana spotted in NYC wore a foam green skirt suit and carried a white Chanel bag.
(Image credit: Tim Graham)
September 12, 1996
Princess Diana stunned in a white Versace mini dress while attending a concert in Italy.
(Image credit: New York Daily News)
May 1996
Princess Diana wore a John Galliano slip dress to the Met Gala.
The royal wore a purple Versace dress and Jimmy Choo pumps while attending a gala dinner in Chicago.
(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
June 29, 1994
Princess Diana arrived at the Serpentine Gallery in London. She opted for an off-the-shoulder dress by Christina Stambolian. (You can shop a similar one here.)
Princess Diana and Prince William attended the christening of her niece in Sandringham in a houndstooth ensemble and Chanel slingbacks.
(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
May 1, 1990
Princess Diana donned a Catherine Walker suit with a Philip Somerville hat to visit Heroes' Square in Budapest.
(Image credit: Tim Graham)
April 11, 1990
The royal enjoyed a beach holiday in Necker with her sons. She chose an animal print one-piece swimsuit and wore a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses.
(Image credit: Tim Graham)
July 27,1989
Princess Diana attended the performance of Swan Lake in London. She wore a Catherine Walker gown.
(Image credit: Anwar Hussein)
June 1989
Princess Diana and Prince Harry were spotted leaving nursery school. Lady Di wore a pink buttoned dress and accessorized with a Cartier watch.
(Image credit: Georges De Keerle)
March 17, 1989
Princess Diana visited Dubai during her official tour of the Gulf States. Lady Di wore Catherine Walker ensemble and a Philip Somerville hat.
(Image credit: Georges De Keerle)
March 15, 1989
The princess wore a pink and red color block Catherine Walker dress and a Philip Somerville hat during her official tour of the Gulf States.
(Image credit: Georges De Keerle)
November 9, 1988
Princess Diana wore Catherine Walker white ensemble in Chambord, France during her official visit to the country.
(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
June 23, 1988
Princess Diana visited the Royal Hampshire Regiment. She was seen wearing a jumpsuit and a pair of pink Converse sneakers.
(Image credit: Georges De Keerle)
June 10, 1988
Princess Diana stepped out to play tennis at the Vanderbilt Raquet Club in London. She wore Reebok sneakers and carried a Wilson racket.
(Image credit: Tim Graham)
July 18, 1986
Princess Diana, seen on the steps of her home in Highgrove, Gloucestershire. She wore gingham trousers, pink sweater, and white boat shoes (shop similar).
(Image credit: Tim Graham)
November 3, 1985
The royal attended a polo match in Australia. She choose a striped shirt dress and accessorized with a D initial necklace and a Patek Philippe gold watch.
(Image credit: Tim Graham)
September 1985
Princess Diana visited Raf Wittering. She opted for a Catherine Walker coat dress.
(Image credit: Tim Graham)
July 1985
Princess Diana wore green Barbour coat during a tour of the Western Isles.
(Image credit: Tim Graham)
June 30, 1985
Princess Diana attended a polo match while wearing a white sailor top, floral skirt, and a Patek Philippe watch.
(Image credit: Tim Graham)
May 4, 1985
Princess Diana wore a Bruce Oldfield dress during a visit to Venice. (Shop a similar blue strong shoulder dress.)
(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
April 1, 1985
Princess Diana visited Livorno while wearing a Jasper Conran suit ensemble and tie.
(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
February 1985
The royal wore a beige Caroline Charles coat during a visit to Derby.
(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
July 29, 1983
Princess Diana attended a polo match in West Sussex while wearing seersucker trousers, a white top, and acetate aviator sunglasses (shop similar).
(Image credit: Tim Graham)
July 24, 1983
Princess Diana attended a polo match in Windsor. She was seen wearing a polka dot dress (shop similar), a coin necklace, and two watches. She was known for wearing two watches during matches to bring Prince Charles luck.
(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
June 1983
Princess Diana opted for a Muir & Osborne black sheep sweater for a polo match.
(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
March 1983
During an official tour to Australia, Princess Diana wore a pink polka dot dress by Donald Campbell (shop similar) and a matching hat by John Boyd.
(Image credit: Tim Graham)
April 1983
Princess Diana wore a green spotted dress and a Patek Philippe watch for a visit to Auckland, New Zealand.
(Image credit: Tim Graham)
May 6, 1981
The royal couple were photographed together at the Balmoral Estate in Scotland. Lady Di wore a colorful alpaca sweater, corduroy trousers, and Hunter rain boots.
Katherine’s a Boston-based contributor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle—from “Clueless” to Everlane to news about Lizzo. She’s been a freelancer for 11 years and has had roles with Cosmopolitan and Bustle, with bylines in Parents, Seventeen, and elsewhere. It’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.
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