Rating: 
Summary: An honest, loving portrayal from a real insider
Review: Like most, I bought the book for more 'dish' about Diana, but was pleasantly surprised. Mr Burrell also gives you a glimps into his life with the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales. The writing was well done by a man who gives us a honest but loving insiders' view.
Rating: 
Summary: Written With Integrity
Review: After reading the entire book, which I doubt some of the reviewers did, I found nothing that discredited the Princess. I found "A Royal Duty" to be a testament to Princess Diana's generous, loving, and kind nature. I found the section regarding her brother, the Earl of Spencer to be very informative. It certainly filled in the missing gaps pertaining to his rather odd behavioir at her funeral and buriel. Not to mention the "museum" of his late sister he created at Althorp. The book did tend to be a little dry at times, and I was occasionally frustrated by the author hinting of secrets, but choosing not to reveal any of them to us. I gave the book 4 stars, rather than five. For all of his fascinating detail, it could have been written with a little more spark. Something was missing, and perhaps a more seasoned author could have made the difference.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty well done
Review: This book was well put together and really describes Princess Diana in a complete and thorough way. There are many Dian books out there, so it is hard to choose one. But this one just seems better than the rest. Although much of the events in the Princess' life have already been revealed by the media's nosy cameras, this book adds depth and better credibility. I would recommend this book to any Diana-lover out there. I would consider it a valuable book to any Diana collection as well.
Rating:
Summary: Much Ado About Nothing
Review: I don't understand why the Royal family was upset with this book. It reveals nothing new and corrects a few misconceptions about them. I doubt that even one family member has picked up the book and read it. It is obvious that the author held back a great deal. It is hardly the tell all book that it has been hyped to be. I do believe that the author was honest. By revealing everything about himself and his relationship with his employer, he left himself vulnerable. As to his obsession with the Princess, what does the Royal Family expect? They hire people to wait on them hand and foot 24/7 to the detriment of the servant's personal life. The servant does not have any life, but his job. The employer becomes his life. Any first year psych student could figure that out! I don't blame Mr. Burrell for writing it. The trial cost him nearly every penny he had. He had to find some way to recoup the losses. Also, I didn't realize that the British government has not held an inquest into the Princess's death, yet. If this book forces them to address that, good for him.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book--Insightful look at Princess Diana
Review: This is a fascinating book that is a page turner. I read this book in two days! Burrell had worked for the royals, first for Queen Elizabeth II, then for Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and then, finally, for Diana, after her separation from Prince Charles. It's not just about Diana for Burrell gives readers an insider's look at life as an employee of Queen Elizabeth. We first get a glimpse of the Queen and her family. Among Burrell's first responsibilities was walking the Queen's nine corgis (more difficult than it sounds). Most of the book describes Burrell's work for the Prince and Princess of Wales. He first meets Diana when she became engaged to the Prince of Wales and found her to be a down to earth, witty, and, at times, vulnerable individual. The marriage, according to Burrell, at first seemed a happy one but around the late 1980s, he was witness to its disintegration. Burrell recalls the subterfuge used by the Prince to keep Diana from finding out about his visits to Mrs. Parker Bowles at her nearby home. Later, he describes bringing James Hewitt to see Diana. He does maintain, however, that Charles' affair did start first. Burrell talks about his private life and settling down with his wife Maria, who was also an employee of the royal family. Their two sons were great friends with the two young princes, William and Harry. After the separation and divorce, Burrell worked exclusively for the Princess of Wales. He describes her devastation as the marriage collapsed (she wrote the Prince of Wales that she did not want a divorce). Burrell describes the, at times, volatile relationship Diana had with her ex-husband's family and her brother Earl Spencer. He describes that after she was newly single, she was courted by various celebrities, including, an Academy Award winning actor (not named by Burrell). He maintains that the great love of her life was Dr. Hasnet Khan, whom Diana wanted to marry. Burrell describes vividly their travels throughout the world, including her anti landmine campaign in 1997. The most moving part of the book is the account of her death in the tunnel in Paris and how Burrell first heard the news. The most haunting part of the book concerns Diana's letter, written in October 1996, where she predicted her own death. I enjoyed this book and I am glad Burrell wrote it (despite all the controversy). It is refreshing to read a book that is sympathetic and honest regarding the late Princess after reading all the negative accounts by Sally Bedell Smith, Penny Junor, and Ingrid Seward. The latter two have written books presenting the Prince and Camilla Parker Bowles in a favorable light, while at the same time, trashing the late Princess. I am surprised Princes William and Harry did not take more offense at Seward's, Bedell's, and Junor's works (which place blame for the breakup primarily on Diana and put her in a very unfavorable light). I was glad that Burrell took issue, in print, with Junor's inaccurate diagnosis of Diana's "borderline personality disorder," which Burrell refutes as having no basis in reality. This book, written by an eyewitness to the Princess' life and the royal marriage, is highly recommended and should be read by those interested in the royals and the late Princess.
Rating: 
Summary: not impressed
Review: I just find it disgarceful to write a tell all book about someone that isn't around to defend thmself and tell their side of the story. Is this book fiction or nonfiction? Who really knows, it is distasteful however.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Fantasy
Review: Poor Paul Burrell. He didnt get a call from the royal family so he wrote a book -- his admission not mine. Then he says the book is not meant to hurt anyone. Regardless of his protests, this book IS a betrayal of Diana's trust. Has anyone heard the interview where he acknowledges that he doesnt HAVE any of these LETTERS? They are all just "memories". He isn't the first the write a book like this -- but if you want an inside account -- try Ken Wharfe's Diana, Closely Guarded Secret -- much better and doenst include the fantasy and the worship, while still painting a great picture of a complicated, wonderful person.
Rating:
Summary: For those who miss her, this will bring comfort to you.
Review: I remember every detail of the week Princess Diana died. Where I was, what I was doing, etc. Having read every book and article on her (I even went to see two of her dresses displayed in a private collection), I have long awaited the "true" story - from her best friend and the one man who never betrayed her, Paul Burrell. Over the last week I have seen him on Good Morning America, Larry King Live, and the wonderful interview by Barbara Walters on 20/20. In my opinion, he has not betrayed her confidences, and probably holds the key to even more mysteries that we will never know in this lifetime. I agree with other reviewers that he was a little bit in love with her. He so much as admitted to it in the book and in his interview on 20/20. A Royal Duty delves deeper into the Princess' life than any other so far. You learn some surprising revelations and you read old news too. I think what makes this book stand out from the other publications is the fact that he loved and respected her so much. He did something for her, that a lot of us cannot do. He accepted her, warts and all. He didn't judge, he served. I hope that Diana's sons will read this book and see that there truly is not anything that is devastaing to the Princess' memory. I believe every word that he has written and I believe that he wrote with nothing but love in his heart for Diana. We will never have another Diana, not in our lifetime. She was greatly loved and greatly loved life and people. I especially enjoyed the photos (some of which had never been published before), and I loved how candid Mr. Burrell was whenever he spoke of the Royal Family. I do not believe he did this for revenge. I want to believe that he did it to say to everyone, "I knew this woman - and she was a good person." For those of you who are looking for a scandal to be revealed, you won't find it here. But you will find a beautiful story about a beautiful princess who was misunderstood. It won't disappoint you.
Rating:
Summary: Insider Information
Review: I have read virtually every Diana book there is, and I really enjoyed this one. The book did, in fact, provide new information and painted a more human picture of the princess. Burrell's wife, Maria, certainly has a reasonable complaint when she speaks of her husband's obsession with Diana (spending the night in her wardrobe?), but the result of that obsession is a great read. Burrell also confirms what I long suspected, that the Spencers certainly have no right to take the high road with regard to their own treatment of Diana, particularly the hypocritical Charles Spencer. The book also clears up nefarious rumors about the Queen and Prince Phillip's treatment of Diana--seems they aren't the villains they've seemed to be. An important book for any Royal afficionado.
Rating: 
Summary: Pleasant read but nothing new
Review: Any ardent royal watcher is going to be very disappointed with Mr. Burrell's new book. Not much is revealed in these pages that isn't already known. This book is a love letter from Mr. Burrell to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. There is an implication throughout that he knows more than he tells here, but, he doesn't give many clues about what else he knows. A few details are given about life at Highgrove and Kensington Palace and it makes for a light and not unpleasant read. Just don't expect any great revelations.
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