One of the better insider books that I have read. I found that Paul did a very nice job of giving the scoop without all the gossipy drama. He gave his side of the story as he experienced it. You could feel his vulnerability throughout the story as he shared his experiences with the Queen and Princess Di. You could even feel the emotional journey of feelings when dealing with the boys and Charles. Paul had quite the journey through the royal life at the palace and I find myself thankful that he chose to share it. I skipped over the LGB...but that's just not my thing. I found that he was able to keep it relevant, engaging and to the point.

*The Royal Insider by Paul Burrell*

I'm fascinated by this book! The Royal Insider is a revealing memoir by Paul Burrell, the former butler to the Queen, who shares his insights into the inner workings of the British royal family. The book offers a unique glimpse into the lives of the royals, from the Queen's private life to the behind-the-scenes stories of royal events. Burrell's writing is engaging, candid, and respectful, providing a balanced view of the royal family's history and traditions. I appreciated the author's honesty and the interesting anecdotes he shares about his time as the Queen's butler. If you're interested in the royals or want a peek into a fascinating world, you'll enjoy The Royal Insider.

4.5 Stars

When I first saw this I jumped at the chance to read it having read the author's previous two books about working both for Queen Elizabeth II and then Princess Diana. It's been about fifteen years since his last book about Princess Diana, but I fondly remember just how well written and enjoyable his previous efforts were. I was a little curious as to what else he would have to say about the subject, but was impressed with his new revelations from the past, as well as his thoughts on the current royals. With the death of his beloved Queen Elizabeth II in September of 2022, he clearly felt he could reveal more private conversations and experiences from the Windsor inner royal circle. Also, since he wrote that last book about Princess Diana in 2010 he came out about being gay and a new marriage, while he still very much loves his ex-wife and the two sons from his first marriage. He also is a prostate cancer survivor and discusses that journey. Paul has a great deal to say about Prince Harry and his marriage to Meghan Markle as well as his thoughts on Camilla being Queen (Consort). Paul has "the goods" to talk at length about all these things being about as close as you can get to the Royal Family. Highly recommended.

Thank you to the publisher Hachette Book Group / Hachette Mobius for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

I wasn't sure if yet another book from Paul Burrell was going to tell us anything we hadn't already heard, but he did give us some new information. The book is partly an autobiography, tracing his life from his childhood in a coal mining village in Derbyshire to his life as a footman to the Queen and then in the household of the Prince and Princess of Wales and finally as the Princess's butler after their separation. He recounts his personal journey from bachelor to married man with children to coming out as gay and his second marriage. These reminiscences are interleaved with stories of his royal service. Now the Queen and Prince Philip are no longer with us, Burrell gives us more details about his interactions with the Queen, including what happened during his trial for theft and how Her Majesty intervened with information that exonerated him.

He was obviously very emotionally involved with his royal employers, particularly Diana (something already clear from his previous books), but he goes into more detail in this book about how that involvement affected his personal life and relationships. Hopefully his insights have brought him some peace and allowed him to move forward with his life.

As well as the anecdotes about the Queen and Prince Philip, the book has a few things to say about some of the other royals, particularly the Sussexes and the King. I was impressed by his attitude to Queen Camilla - acknowledging the qualities that make her an effective consort and supportive wife even though he obviously finds it hard to forgive the effect on Diana of the relationship between Charles and Camilla throughout Diana's marriage. He is less forgiving toward the Sussexes, and his insights into how Diana might have felt about how things have turned out for her sons make interesting reading.

This book would be a good addition to any collection of biographies and reminiscences about the royal family in recent years.

Occasionally sycophantic, highly critical, and ultimately utterly human, Burrell writes with obvious and admitted bias and I loved the book all the more for that. He isn’t a detached journalist, he is a man who like all of us has relationships and that formed the shape of his story.

Surprisingly my favorite part of the story was actually how he went from a small mining town to the Queen’s number one footman. I didn’t know anything about his background and his journey fascinated me.

The behind the scenes view of the most famous royal family was so fascinating, making these unknowable figures more human. It was everything I wanted from a royal butler’s memoir.

Attention Royal Admirers! Thank Heaven Paul Burrell gifted all of us (readers & commoners) with another book on The Royal Family! I already own 2 of his & I'll be pre-ordering this 5 Star read!

After 21 years in service to Queen Elizabeth & Princess Diana, Paul Burrell is the somebody who witnessed the good & the bad. When I started reading, I thought the book's subject matter was reserved for only The Queen & Princess. He instead shares snippets of his observations that include the entire Royal Family.

I especially enjoyed learning about Prince Philip's protective nature towards the Queen. The author was witness to all of The Queen's 4 Children/their spouses & offspring plus Prince William & Princess Catherine & the future they bring. He sat front row to the daily routine of all. He is kind, but firm in his handling of Harry & Meghan Markle's story. You can sense his compassion for the predicament they find themselves after stepping back from The Royal Family in 2020.

I appreciated he addressed the 2002 incident. I seem to remember something in the news, but I am happy it was resolved by The Queen herself. She was the final word & I am pleased that Paul Burrell had her 100% support. I have read many books on The Royal Family & it seems that there is no end to the jealousy among some of the palace staff plus "The Grey Men" that Princess Diana dreaded herself.

I hope that the future royals eventually rid the monarchy of these staff members who have overstayed their welcome & decided to attack Paul Burrell who was an innocent bystander. "These Grey Men" silenced Princess Diana & I feel as though they thought they could keep bullying anyone that was loyal to the deceased Princess.

I hope the author continues to share his commentary & opinions. As a reader, I look forward to purchasing & reading his books. I wish Paul Burrell & his Family only the best in 2026 & all the years to follow. How proud his Mother must be of her Son & his never-ending accomplishments. The author is very far from the humble upbringing he knew in a coal-mining village of Grassmoor, England. I was an exchange student in 1979 in England & I know exactly where it is.

I thank NetGalley, the publisher & the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair & honest review.

I had to snag Paul Burrell's memoir when I saw it on NetGalley as I enjoy reading about the British Royal Family, There were some interesting details I hadn't read/heard elsewhere before (especially about a certain unpopular royal family member).

My favorite passage/recollection in the book was a conversation he related between the Queen and Prince Phillip when he (Phillip) complained why the Queen had to have "so bloody many" corgis, to which she responded, "But darling, there so collectible." I mean, she's not wrong! (I may have then messaged my husband to inform him that (a) "Royals, there just like the rest of us" and (b) might I have a fourth dog now as she had NINE. While he was humored to know this common ground, I was informed, "no.")

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Mobius for the ARC edition of this book.