'There are some lovely girls around the Palace': Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell reveals how the Queen told him 'to find a woman and get married'

  • Princess Diana's ex-butler Paul Burrell announced he is marrying his boyfriend
  • He has now revealed how he fell for a fellow royal servant and later married her
  • Mr Burrell was also told by the Queen that he should find a 'girl from the Palace'

By Abe Hawken For Mailonline

Published: 20:22 EDT, 11 March 2017 | Updated: 22:12 EDT, 11 March 2017

Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell has today revealed how he fell for a fellow royal servant after the Queen told him he would find a 'suitable girl from the Palace'. 

The 58-year-old, who entered Royal Service 40 years ago, opened up about a number of private conversations he had with Her Majesty. 

Mr Burrell, who worked for Diana for a decade, revealed how he met his wife after bumping into her while working at the Palace. 

Maria Cosgrove, now 62, worked as a maid for Prince Philip, and Mr Burrell has revealed how he thought she was 'lovely' and knew he wanted to marry her after learning the pair had a lot in common.

Paul Butler (right) worked as a butler for Princess Diana (left) and recently announced he was getting married to his boyfriend 

Paul Butler (right) worked as a butler for Princess Diana (left) and recently announced he was getting married to his boyfriend 

Next month, Mr Burrell (centre) will marry his lawyer boyfriend Graham Cooper (left) in front of around 50 guests 

Next month, Mr Burrell (centre) will marry his lawyer boyfriend Graham Cooper (left) in front of around 50 guests 

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Mr Burrell, also discussed an incident which resulted in him being suspended from Palace duties. 

He was linked to a Navy scandal on board the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1981, which saw a naval officer being prosecuted and dismissed after committing homosexual acts. 

Mr Burrell, who now lives in Cheshire, later returned as the Queen's personal footman and revealed how she told him how pleased she was to have him back.  

It was then when she gave him advice. He told the paper: 'Her ­Majesty took me aside and said, "Paul, the institution of marriage is a wonderful thing – have you thought of getting married?"

'I said, "Well, your Majesty, I have, yes". She replied "Well there are some lovely girls around the Palace. I'm sure you can find one suitable".'

He later met Prince Philip's maid - Miss Cosgrove - and they ended up getting married in 1983.  

The former butler, now a florist (left) worked for the princess (right) and Prince Charles

The former butler, now a florist (left) worked for the princess (right) and Prince Charles

Mr Burrell, 58, (right) started working for Princess Diana (left) in 1987 and was her butler

Mr Burrell, 58, (right) started working for Princess Diana (left) in 1987 and was her butler

They went on her honeymoon to Balmoral with her new husband after being sent there by Her Majesty.

After telling him about his engagement, the Queen told him that she was 'delighted and thrilled' for him and that he 'wouldn't regret' getting married because it is a 'wonderful, wonderful thing'.

The father-of-two added: 'I was the Queen's boy. We had a close, special relationship.'

It comes after Mr Burrell, who started working for Diana and Prince Charles in 1987, announced that he will marry his boyfriend, lawyer Graham Cooper, in April.   

He told the newspaper that they will invite 50 guests at a luxury country house and said it is not going to be a 'lavish' wedding.

Mr Burrell came out as being gay and said the pair will get married just nine months after he divorced his wife of 32 years.

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