Betrayed and disappointed . . . again

Although no official statement had been made on behalf of Princes William and Harry about further revelations included in Paul Burrell's latest book, 'Diana, The Way We Were' (which can be read about here) a source close to the Princes has been quoted as saying, "The Princes feel very much the same way that they did when Paul Burrell brought out his last book ['A Royal Duty'] four years ago. There is a sense of deep betrayal and disappointment."

At the time of Burrell's first publication in 2003 Princes Harry and William, then aged 21 and 19, released this strongly worded statement: "We cannot believe that Paul, who was entrusted with so much, could abuse his position in such a cold and overt betrayal. It is not only deeply painful for the two of us, but also for everyone else affected and it would mortify our mother if she were alive today. And, if we might say so, we feel we are more able to speak for our mother than Paul. We ask Paul please to bring these revelations to an end."

A Clarence House spokesperson went on to say, "William and Harry decided they have had enough as far as Paul Burrell's revelations go. They are appealing to Paul to draw a line under this. They feel it's destroying their mother's memory. It's very hurtful and upsetting. They would like it all to stop. They are disappointed that someone they have fond childhood memories of is behaving in this way and that someone they trusted has let them down."

Burrell responded to their plea by refusing to apologize and telling them "to grow up" and that he would like to give them, "a piece of my mind and ask them why they did not give me help during the most difficult time in my life [the arrest and trial]. Is one phone call too much?" He then invited them to meet with him so he could reassure them in person that he meant their mother no harm and that further secrets would be kept safe. A meeting was wisely avoided for fear that it would just add another chapter to any future books.

Burrell has said that he is releasing this second book to end continuing theories that Diana was murdered to prevent her from marrying a Muslim. The police in charge of the investigation into Diana's have brushed aside Burrell's "new evidence" all of which he'd already told them two years ago during questioning after he'd made public Diana's private letter expressing her fear of being murdered.

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