Paul Burrell, 64, confirms ‘lifechanging’ cancer diagnosis

Paul Burrell has confirmed he is battling prostate cancer, weeks after hitting back at Prince Harry over claims he ‘milked’ the late Diana, Princess of Wales’ death for money. 

Diana’s former butler announced the news during an appearance on Monday’s edition of Lorraine, admitting the surprise diagnosis has strengthened his relationship with his two sons. 

Burrell, 64 – who famously claimed he was Diana’s ‘rock’ following her acrimonious 1996 divorce from King Charles – also revealed he will undergo an operation next month to remove the affected prostate gland. 

 Revelation: Paul Burrell has confirmed he is battling prostate cancer , weeks after wading into the growing rift between warring Princes William and Harry

He explained: ‘I’m tired, I’m on hormone therapy, it’s robbing me of my testosterone so my beard isn’t growing as it should, I’m tired, and I’m getting hot flushes. 

‘In the summer I had to go for a medical for a TV programme I was doing and their duty of care was to go for a full medical. And out of that was a high level of a chemical PSA produced by your prostate gland.’

He added: ‘I was wrapping Christmas presents, wondering “will I be here next Christmas?” I had to tell my boys, and they said to me, “Dad we need to see you more.”‘ 

The second most common form of cancer in men over the age of 50, prostate cancer affects the male reproductive system by infecting the small gland responsible for producing and transporting seminal fluid. 

Speaking out: The late Diana, Princess of Wales ‘ former butler announced the news during an appearance on Monday’s edition of Lorraine

Taking action: Burrell also revealed he will undergo an operation next month to remove the affected prostate gland

Discussing his decision to remove the gland, he added: ‘My father days are over. I don’t want any more children, I’ve got two wonderful boys, that’s fine.

‘But not everything finishes because you loose your prostrate. It can continue to be as good as it ever was in the bedroom. 

‘You can still have a good sex life but you have to talk about it. Talk about it, don’t hide it.’ 

Old times: Former royal butler Burrell with Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997 – weeks before she was killed in a car accident with boyfriend Dodi Fayed 

Burrell fathered sons Alexander and Nicholas with ex-wife Maria Cosgrove – who he met while working at Buckingham Palace – before their divorce in 2016 after 32-years of marriage. 

He later came out as gay before marrying partner Graham Cooper, a corporate lawyer, in 2017. 

Burrell’s announcement comes after he lashed out at criticism from Prince Harry, claiming he doesn’t recognise ‘the young man I see today’.

Hitting out: The Duke of Sussex has accused Burrell of ‘milking’ Princess Diana’s death for money (pictured together in 1997)

Not happy: In his memoir Harry said Burrell made his ‘blood boil’ by releasing a book about Princess Diana called A Royal Duty

In his controversial memoir Spare, the Duke of Sussex said Diana’s former butler was ‘milking’ her death for money when he published his 2001 book A Royal Duty – which contained a raft of private revelations.

But appearing on Australian breakfast show Sunrise, Burrell said: ‘I first met him in his mummy’s tummy. I don’t recognise the young man I see today. That’s not the boy I knew. 

‘What I see now is an angry, petulant, privileged prince who is constantly blaming other people and not taking accountability on his part.’

Right of reply: Burrell appeared on Australian TV this morning after being attacked by Harry 

Burrell served as a footman for the Queen before working for Diana for ten years until her death in 1997.

Speaking from his home in Florida, he said the Duke of Sussex had ‘changed fundamentally’ and that his mother would be ‘appalled’.

He added: ‘She would be angry at these personal, vindictive revelations which don’t just undermine Harry, but his country, his family, the institution – which his mother was very proud of – and his late grandmother’s legacy.’