UK News 17-08-2001 Diana`s Butler in court on theft charges who: Princess Diana`s butler Paul Burrell what: In court charged with theft of hundreds of Princess` presonal items where: LONDON when: Today snippet: "Princess Diana`s former butler Paul Burrell, the man she once described as `my rock`, was last night charged by police with three counts of theft of property belonging to her estate, the Prince of Wales and Prince William," reports this morning`s Guardian. Burrell, 43, will appear at Bow Street magistrates` court this morning to face charges of theft - "In all, he is alleged to have stolen 342 items worth MILLIONS of pounds at Kensington Palace," writes the Sun`s Charles Rae. "A letter sent to doomed Princess Diana by Mother Teresa is among the items allegedly stolen." The BBC continues the list, which includes "photographs, framed and unframed; a box of nightwear; hats; shoes; handbags; CDs, tapes and records; boxes of crockery, jewellery and commemorative coins.." and a "bullwhip souvenir of the Indiana Jones films" adds Alan Hamilton in The Times. "He started as a footman to the Queen and graduated to become butler to the Prince and Princess of Wales at Highgrove," continues the Times report. "When the couple divorced, the Princess insisted that he work exclusively for her and he became one of her closest members of staff. One of the first to be told of the Paris crash, he was said to have been devastated by her death and was closely involved in the funeral arrangements." In a statement quoted in The Guardian, mr Burrell`s solicitor said: "Paul Burrell denies absolutely the charges that have been preferred against him. He is rightly perceived to be a man of integrity and trust by the royal family and he says that their trust is justified." [... more]

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