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Royal Family’s Former Butler Shares Details About Harry & William’s Childhood (Including Diana’s Wish for Their Future)

Paul Burrell (Princess Diana’s former butler) is sharing never-before-heard details about Prince Harry and Prince William’s childhood.

Burrell recently discussed his experience working for the royal family and revealed that Princess Diana always wanted her kids to support each other.

prince harry william childhood butler 1
Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

“[Princess Diana’s] vision was that the two of them would be inseparable, they would grow together and be two princes, one would be king one day but the prince supporting the king,” he said (on behalf of Slingo). “That’s what she felt and thought. That was Harry’s path, he never had a roadmap like William had because William always knew where he was headed. Harry followed his trail.”

This became more complicated when the royal family started grooming Prince William to become king. Burrell added, “Harry understood his brother would one day be King because Harry listened to people whispering in William’s ear all his childhood years, ‘One day, you’re going to be king. You have to sit up straight because you’re going to be king. You have to know how to eat properly with a knife and fork because you’re going to be king.’”

He continued, “All these lessons were being given to William in the nursery with Harry watching. So, how do you think Harry felt as a child growing up?”

prince harry william childhood butler
Yui Mok/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Burrell agreed that Prince Harry has always “lived in his brother’s shadow.” However, he didn’t sense any resentment at the time. “I thought Harry embraced the fact he would always be number two in line and be there to support his brother.”

Fingers crossed Prince Harry and Prince William can reconcile their differences.

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