Royal Recall

The trial of Paul Burrell filled the British press corps with gleeful anticipation. The former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales (pictured with Burrell in 1997), was accused of stealing hundreds of personal items, including clothing, letters and photos, from his employer, and there was the possibility that members of the royal family would be called to testify and perhaps even reveal intimate secrets. But it was not to be.

Twelve days into the trial, Queen Elizabeth suddenly remembered a salient tidbit of information that dramatically, and conveniently, ended the proceedings. While prosecutors claimed Burrell had unlawfully secreted Diana's possessions away from her family, he maintained she had given him some of the belongings and he was safeguarding the rest.

Last week the Queen supported his contention when — eureka! — she recalled a conversation she had with Burrell after Diana's death in which he told her of his cache, thereby removing any taint of theft and any basis for prosecution. And any hope that a royal would disclose what life is really like behind palace walls.