Paul Burrell, the former butler to Queen Elizabeth II, has shared a deeply personal account of the late monarch’s final months. In a candid memoir, Burrell reveals that the Queen was aware of her cancer diagnosis but chose to keep the news private—delegating public duties while managing her illness in relative solitude.
One of the most striking insights Burrell offers concerns the widening rift between Prince Harry and the royal family. He recounts a final visit from Harry and Meghan at Balmoral that did not go as scripted: far from a family reunion, it deepened existing tensions, with the Queen reportedly expressing frustration over the couple’s public remarks and behavior.
Burrell portrays the Queen as resolute and protective of her institution—even as she grappled with deeply personal pain. According to him, she prioritized the monarchy’s dignity until her final days, maintaining poise while navigating illness and family conflict.