Princess Diana’s Butler To Marry Gay Lover 32 Years After Marriage

Princess Diana’s buler, Paul Burrell who parted ways with Maria his wife of 32 years will be getting married next month to his gay lover in a ceremony expected to have his two sons with Maria Alex, 27, and Nick, 24, in attendance. The 58-year-old, described by the late royal as her “rock”, will wed lawyer Graham Cooper during an intimate ceremony in the Lake District.

A statement released last June on behalf of the couple confirmed they were “currently going through a divorce”.

It added: “The decision to file for divorce was a mutual one, Paul and Maria remain the best of friends and have two wonderful sons who remain their priority.”

Speaking last year Burrell told the Sunday Mirror: “I still love my wife . Marrying her was the best thing in my life, and to witness the boys being born – nothing compares. It’s sad when people part, but it happens a lot.”


He added: “Maria is the mother of my children – they’re the three most important people in my life. Their happiness comes before mine.”



Maria and Paul met when they both worked at Buckingham Palace. Maria was the Duke of Edinburgh’s maid. While Burrell won his role as footman to the Queen in 1977, aged 19, and became Diana ’s butler 10 years later. They married in 1984.

Burrell’s marriage to Mr Cooper next month is the first public acknowledgement that he is gay.