Chronology of The Queen's involvement in the Paul Burrell Case

Published

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

Following the announcement by St James's Palace that there will be an immediate review into specific allegations relating to The Prince of Wales's office and the Paul Burrell case, The Queen supports this decision for an immediate review by Sir Michael Peat.

The Queen's involvement in the Burrell case has been made clear ever since the judge's decision to dismiss the case, and Buckingham Palace has today again released the chronology of The Queen's involvement in the Burrell case.

Chronology of The Queen's involvement in the case

In December 1997 The Queen met Mr Burrell privately for about one and a half hours at his request. In the course of the discussion Mr Burrell mentioned that he had taken some of the Princess's papers for safekeeping. No response was sought from The Queen and none was given.

Following the raid on Mr Burrell's house in January 2001 The Prince of Wales's private secretary informed The Queen's private secretary that none of The Queen's personal possessions had been found. Sir Robin Janvrin reported this to The Queen and advised her that there was therefore no basis for any involvement in the police investigation.

On 3rd April 2001 at the suggestion of The Prince of Wales's private secretary, The Queen's private secretary attended a police/CPS briefing at St James's Palace as an observer. During this briefing the police outlined the possible charges and said that they were investigating whether Mr Burrell had been selling some of the items. Following this meeting Sir Robin Janvrin reported to The Queen and advised that he had agreed with The Prince of Wales's private secretary that all further liaison with the police would be a matter for St James's Palace.

On 21st September 2001 a letter was received from Paul Burrell's solicitor asking for a meeting to discuss Paul Burrell's life and service with the Royal Family. This was declined because The Queen was not involved with the case and a meeting might have been misinterpreted as interference in the judicial process.

In the autumn of 2001 The Queen's private secretary was told informally by The Prince of Wales's private secretary that the police had told The Prince of Wales that they had evidence that Paul Burrell had been selling items from the Princess's estate. He mentioned this to The Queen.

On 22nd October 2002 it was made clear during the trial that, contrary to their earlier advice, the police had no evidence that Paul Burrell had been selling the items in question.

On October 25th, The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales discussed the case in the car en route to the Bali Memorial Service at St Paul's. The Queen mentioned the meeting with Paul Burrell five years ago, and his statement that he had taken some of the Princess's papers for safekeeping. Given the importance to the prosecution case of the question of whether or not Mr Burrell had told anyone that he had taken items from Kensington Palace, the relevance of this information was realised and quickly drawn to the attention of the police.

The subsequent decision on whether or not the trial should proceed was entirely for the CPS.

Related content

News

Royal Maundy 2025

17 April 2025
The King and Queen at the Maundy Service in Durham

A message from The King to mark Easter

There are three virtues that the world still needs — faith, hope and love. “And the greatest of these is love”.

17 April 2025

The King’s speech at the State Banquet at the Quirinale Palace, Italy

It is also moving to think that my great, great grandfather, King Edward VII, and my great-grandfather, King George V, both spoke at State Banquets in this very Palace over a...

09 April 2025

The King delivers an address to the Italian Parliament

It has been one of the pleasures of my life to come to know this irresistible country, and from Turin to Palermo, Verona to Naples, Florence to Trieste, I have learned a...

09 April 2025

The King's message to the regional media industry in the UK

Your reporting, and the work of all those who support you, helps amplify and reaffirm the rights and responsibilities we all share.

27 March 2025
News

Commonwealth Day 2025

10 March 2025
Commonwealth flags

A speech delivered by The King during a visit to HMS Prince of Wales whilst at sea

I can only say that I take immense pride in you - the men and women who bring this vessel to life with such indomitable spirit - for your vital service on behalf of us all.

04 March 2025

The King's Commonwealth Day Message 2025

The Commonwealth’s ability to bring together people from all over the world has stood the test of time and remains as ever-important today.

09 March 2025
News

The King visits Staffordshire

24 February 2025
The King visits Tower Brewery
Press release 07 February 2025

The King and Queen will visit the Holy See and Italy

Read more

A speech by His Majesty The King to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz

As the number of Holocaust Survivors regrettably diminishes with the passage of time, the responsibility of remembrance rests far heavier on our shoulders, and on those of...

27 January 2025
News

Holocaust Memorial Day 2025

27 January 2025
The King with Jewish leaders

A message from The King to the people of Glasgow celebrating the city’s 850th anniversary.

It goes without saying that people really do make Glasgow. As one of the most diverse cities in Scotland and beyond, it is entirely fitting that the celebrations to mark this...

13 January 2025

A message of condolence from The King following the South Korean plane crash

My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the horrific air accident at Muan, which resulted in such grievous loss of life. As the people of the Republic of Korea...

29 December 2024

A message of condolence from The King to the people of Vanuatu, following the recent earthquake.

I am aware, from my visit to Vanuatu and Port Vila in 2018, of the extraordinary spirit of ni-Vanuatu, which has been called upon too often in recent years with repeated...

21 December 2024
Press release 16 December 2024

The King's Gold Medal for Poetry 2024

Read more

A message read by The Duchess of Edinburgh, on behalf of The King, marking the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham Bombings

Today we remember the twenty-one people who lost their lives so cruelly and all who were injured, many of them grievously. We also pay heartfelt tribute to those who rushed to...

21 November 2024

A speech by The King at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone, Devon

It is this operational excellence, underpinned by your unique skillset and training, which will ensure that all of you, as Royal Marines, will help to perpetuate our peace and...

15 November 2024
Press release 13 November 2024

Bishop of Norwich appointed Lord High Almoner

Read more

A message from The King to King Felipe VI of Spain regarding the ongoing floods in Valencia.

Our special thoughts, prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with all those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods this terrible week.

02 November 2024