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Butler: Dodi Wasn't 'the One'

Factotum tells inquest Diana planned to marry ex-flame Khan

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Jan 14, 2008 12:20 PM CST
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(Newser) – Princess Diana had no intention of marrying Dodi al Fayed but had set her sights on Hasnat Khan, says her former butler and confidant extraordinaire. Paul Burrell testified at her inquest today that he met with a Catholic priest to make arrangements for a private ceremony for the princess and her longtime flame. It's an open challenge to Mohamed al Fayed, the Telegraph reports.

Dodi's father chalks up the pair's death to a royal conspiracy meant to prevent his son from proposing to a pregnant Diana on the night they died. But Burrell—now a reality TV star—said Diana was "on the rebound" and was using Dodi to get Khan, "her soulmate," back. "I know that because I was there and I saw it," he testified.

Diana, Princess of Wales, and her companion Dodi Fayed, walk on a pontoon in the French Riviera resort of St Tropez in this Aug. 22, 1997, file photo. Rodney Turner, a car dealer and long-standing friend of Diana's family,said Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, that Princess Diana had described her...
Diana, Princess of Wales, and her companion Dodi Fayed, walk on a pontoon in the French Riviera resort of St Tropez in this Aug. 22, 1997, file photo. Rodney Turner, a car dealer and long-standing friend...   (Associated Press)
Princess Diana's butler and confidant Paul Burrell poses for photographer during a lunch break at the coroner's inquest into the death the late Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed at the High Court in London, Monday Jan. 14, 2008. Princess Diana gave no indication that she intended to marry Dodi Fayed...
Princess Diana's butler and confidant Paul Burrell poses for photographer during a lunch break at the coroner's inquest into the death the late Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed at the High Court in London,...   (Associated Press)
Princess Diana's butler and confidant Paul Burrell poses for photographer during a lunch break at the coroner's inquest into the death the late Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed at the High Court in London, Monday Jan. 14, 2008. Princess Diana gave no indication that she intended to marry Dodi Fayed...
Princess Diana's butler and confidant Paul Burrell poses for photographer during a lunch break at the coroner's inquest into the death the late Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed at the High Court in London,...   (Associated Press)
Diana, Princess of Wales, smiles at the United Cerebral Palsy's annual dinner at the New York Hilton in this Dec. 11, 1995 file photo. Rodney Turner, a car dealer and long-standing friend of Diana's family, said Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, that Princess Diana had described her relationship with Dodi Fayed...
Diana, Princess of Wales, smiles at the United Cerebral Palsy's annual dinner at the New York Hilton in this Dec. 11, 1995 file photo. Rodney Turner, a car dealer and long-standing friend of Diana's...   (Associated Press)
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Burrell opens up about the queen
Telegraph (UK)

More on Burrell
Guardian (UK)

 
Princess Diana • Diana inquest • Dodi Fayed • Mohamed Al Fayed • Paul Burrell • Hasnat Khan • royal conspiracy • butler

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