Why Princess Diana's Meeting With Oprah Winfrey "Became a Friendly Tug-of-War," According to Former Butler
"Oprah kept returning to it to embarrass me."
Throughout her life, Princess Diana was well-known around the globe. As a result, it's entirely unsurprising that she reportedly had a private meeting with talk show legend Oprah Winfrey, which led to a "friendly tug-of-war."
In his book A Royal Duty, former royal butler Paul Burrell opened up about Princess Diana's meeting with Oprah Winfrey.
Burrell shared in his book, "The princess was really nervous about meeting [Winfrey] because, she said, 'She is such a big name.' It didn't cross her mind that perhaps Oprah would be nervous too."
According to the former butler, Diana "made her typical confident entrance" to meet Winfrey. "'Sorry to keep you waiting, sorry, sorry,' [Diana] said," Burrell recalled. "I served lunch in the dining room and soon became part of the proceedings as conversation turned to America."
Sharing the private conversation, Burrell explained, "We love America, don't we, Paul?' the princess said. 'He goes there every year for a holiday.' Cue Oprah to the princess: 'So, would you ever consider living in the United States?'"
Princess Diana reportedly had a private meeting with Oprah Winfrey.
According to Burrell, he pitched in with a joke: "I would pack my bags and go and live in America tomorrow."
The butler continued, "I looked at the princess and winked. Oprah saw her opportunity. 'We could do with a butler. Why don't you come to Chicago and look after me?'"
As documented in his book, Burrell recalled Princess Diana bristling at the thought of Winfrey poaching her royal butler.
"The princess suddenly straightened in her chair," Burrell wrote. "'Look, Oprah,' she said, laughing, 'he's my butler and he's staying here.'"
Per Burrell, "It became a friendly tug-of-war all the way through to coffee: Oprah kept returning to it to embarrass me."
"It became a friendly tug-of-war all the way through to coffee: Oprah kept returning to it to embarrass me."
The joke apparently continued right up until the moment Winfrey left Kensington Palace.
"Just before she pulled away, Oprah opened the window, leaned forward and said: 'This is your last chance, Paul,'" Burrell shared. "The Boss stood beside me at the front step, threw a possessive arm round me and shouted out: 'Hey, he's mine—and he's staying here with me.'"
Luckily, the meeting reportedly ended in "laughter." Basically, Princess Diana and Oprah Winfrey appeared to develop quite the rapport during their alleged meeting.
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