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Butler appears at Diana inquest Dodi was 'not the one' for Diana
(about 1 hour later)
Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell has begun to give evidence at the inquest into her death. Princess Diana's former butler has told the inquest into her death he had not been given the impression that Dodi Al Fayed was "the one".
Mr Burrell, who worked for the Royal Family for more than 20 years, and for Diana for more than 10 years, is appearing at the High Court in London. Paul Burrell worked for Diana for more than 10 years.
In 2002 he was cleared of stealing Diana's possessions after an Old Bailey trial collapsed. He described Diana's relationship with Mr Al Fayed as "a very new friendship which developed into something more".
The coroner has said the jury may think Mr Burrell had unrivalled knowledge of intimate aspects of Diana's life. He also said that he "connected all the princess's friends and all her world" and was "at the hub of the wheel, everybody was at the spokes".
Coroner Lord Justice Scott Baker told the hearing last year: "He plainly had a close professional relationship with Diana." He told the High Court in London that he did not believe the couple's romance had begun during a holiday on Mr Al Fayed's yacht at the end of July 1997.
He added: "He says he discussed her personal affairs with her, was shown private correspondence and helped to draft replies." I certainly don't think the romance started on the first holiday Paul Burrell
Instead he thought it was only after their return that the pair became romantically linked.
Diana had taken a holiday on Mohamed al Fayed's yacht the Jonikal with her sons, Princes William and Harry.
When asked by Ian Burnett QC, representing the inquest, about the early nature of the relationship, Mr Burnell replied: "It was very fresh, new and exciting."
Mr Burnett also asked: "By that stage had you any sense from the Princess that... to use a hackneyed phrase that has appeared in so many media reports, Dodi was 'the one'?"
Mr Burrell replied: "No, I didn't have that impression.
Unrivalled knowledge
"I certainly don't think the romance started on the first holiday. I think that would have been inappropriate with William and Harry being in attendance."
Coroner Lord Justice Scott Baker has previously said the jury may think Mr Burrell had unrivalled knowledge of intimate aspects of Diana's life as he "plainly had a close professional relationship with Diana."
Diana died along with her lover Dodi Al Fayed and their driver Henri Paul in a car crash in Paris in 1997.Diana died along with her lover Dodi Al Fayed and their driver Henri Paul in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
Mr Burrell is likely to be questioned about a note from the princess to him in which she said that her husband Prince Charles was "planning an accident in my car".Mr Burrell is likely to be questioned about a note from the princess to him in which she said that her husband Prince Charles was "planning an accident in my car".
He may also be asked about a conversation he had with the Queen in which he claims she warned him: "There are powers at work in this country about which we have no knowledge."He may also be asked about a conversation he had with the Queen in which he claims she warned him: "There are powers at work in this country about which we have no knowledge."
In 2002 Mr Burrell, who worked for the Royal Family for more than 20 years, was cleared of stealing Diana's possessions after an Old Bailey trial collapsed.