Prince William fury over Burrell revelations

On 24th October 2003 Prince William and Prince Harry accused their mother's former butler, Paul Burrell, of "cold and overt betrayal" over revelations in his forthcoming book. They said if she were alive today Princess Diana would be mortified by the details of her private letters which Burrell has revealed.

The princes said: "We cannot believe that Paul who was entrusted with so much could abuse his position in such a cold and overt betrayal. It is not only deeply painful for the two of us but also for everyone else affected and it would mortify our mother if she were alive today and, if we might say so, we feel we are more able to speak for our mother than Paul".

"We ask Paul to bring these revelations to an end," said Prince William and Prince Harry in a statement released by Clarence House.

Buckingham Palace has been sent a copy of the book by Mr Burrell, so it can consider the legal implications.

Burrell has made a series of claims including one that Princess Diana feared for her life and spoke of a plot to tamper with the brakes of her car.

He had previously promised not to write about his time as Diana's butler. But on 24th October he refused to apologise for his book.

Burrell said: "I am extremely proud [of the book] and I am convinced the princess would be too."

He may have changed his mind after the events of the trial he was subjected to earlier in the year. His trial for stealing items belonging to Diana was in progress when Queen Elizabeth intervened to reveal information which immediately caused the trial to collapse. No member of the royal family had spoken to Burrell since then.