Paul Burrell Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

The Unlikely Butler Who Captivated the World

Paul Burrell began life far from royal splendour. Born on June 6, 1958, in the coal-mining village of Grassmoor, Derbyshire, he was the son of a lorry driver and a homemaker.

As a child, he visited London and watched the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace — an experience that ignited an ambition many would consider improbable for a boy from a working-class background. This dream carried him from a modest upbringing to the polished halls of monarchy.

At 18 he entered the service of the British Royal Household, starting as a footman at Buckingham Palace. A year later he became personal footman to Queen Elizabeth II — earning the nickname “Small Paul” to distinguish him from another footman.

His diligence and discretion set him on an extraordinary trajectory. In 1987, he was entrusted with the role of butler to Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince Charles at Highgrove House. Later, following their separation, he remained in Diana’s service at Kensington Palace, becoming one of her most trusted aides.

Diana reportedly described him as “the only man she ever trusted.” In the years following her tragic death in 1997, Burrell’s unique proximity to royal life — once hidden in service — became his most public asset.

When Palace Walls Fell Away: Memoirs & Media Life

After Diana’s death, Burrell charted a markedly different course: from behind-the-scenes servant to public storyteller. In 1999, he released Entertaining with Style, a book rooted in his knowledge of high society and etiquette.

But it was his 2003 memoir, A Royal Duty, that transformed him into a controversial public figure. The book — which recounted intimate experiences and insights from his time with Diana — sold internationally and sparked fierce debate. While some praised him for preserving royal history, others accused him of betrayal.

His post-palace career also embraced television. He appeared on reality shows including I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (UK version 2004) and the Australian edition, as well as documentaries and talk shows.

In this reinvented life, he leveraged the public’s enduring fascination with royalty — not as a butler, but as a chronicler.

Money, Modesty, and the Price of Fame

Estimates of Paul Burrell’s wealth have varied, but recent consensus among reputable sources places his net worth at roughly US$500,000.

This sum reflects a long — though not lavishly remunerated — career within the royal household; modest pay by modern celebrity standards, supplemented in later years by royalties from book sales, media appearances, and speaking engagements.

While some outlets have speculated about higher valuations — suggesting that his transition into media and authorship could lift him into the low-million-dollar range — these remain unverified.

It appears that for Burrell, the value lay less in opulence and more in influence — the currency of intrigue, memory, and public interest.

Secrets, Scandal, and Redemption

The shift from private servant to public voice was not without turbulence. After Diana’s death, Burrell found himself at the center of a scandal: he was arrested in 2001 and charged with theft of some of Diana’s personal possessions, along with items belonging to Prince Charles and Prince William.

In what became a highly publicized trial, those charges were eventually dropped — in part due to a “public-interest immunity” certificate and a decision by the Crown that certain evidence should remain confidential.

The episode fed widespread debate: was he a loyal custodian of Diana’s legacy — or a man exploiting his proximity to tragedy? Yet, Burrell persisted. Even after the legal storm subsided, his memoirs, public appearances, and speaking engagements ensured his voice remained part of the royal conversation.

A Life Reimagined: Personal Journey Beyond the Palace

Burrell’s personal life has seen as much transformation as his public one. In 1984 he married Maria Cosgrove — a fellow royal household employee — and together they had two sons.

In 2017, following his separation from Maria, he married his longtime partner, Graham Cooper, in a ceremony in Bowness-on-Windermere.

Seeking a quieter life away from the spotlight, Burrell retired from most public commitments. Reports note that he sold his florist shop in 2019 and settled into a more private existence in Cheshire with his husband.

Yet his love of life’s finer touches — hospitality, aesthetics, storytelling — carries on. As a speaker, author, and occasional commentator on royal affairs, he remains a figure of enduring public curiosity.

Why Paul Burrell Still Matters

Paul Burrell’s story is not one of fortune born from fame — but of reinvention, resilience, and the rare gift of memory. From a working-class boy in Derbyshire to the confidant of one of the world’s most iconic figures, his journey reflects the tension between duty and disclosure, service and stardom.

His net worth might not rival that of modern celebrities. But his true capital lies in his narrative — his access to history, his willingness to tell it, and a life lived at the intersection of privilege and humanity.

For readers drawn to royal history, personal redemption stories, or the mechanics of fame, Paul Burrell remains a compelling figure: not just as the butler who knew the princes — but as the man who chose to tell their story.