The Way We Were: Remembering Diana [Hardcover]

Paul Burrell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 2006

Paul Burrell served Diana, Princess of Wales, as her faithful butler from 1987 until her death in 1997. He was much more than an employee: he was her right-hand man, confidant and friend. She described him as 'the only man she ever trusted.'

As the world prepares for the official inquest into her death, The Way We Were marks an intense period of reflection by ensuring the spirit, warmth and character of the person at the centre of proceedings is not lost or obscured.

In this remarkable and intimate book, Paul Burrell opens the door to Kensington Palace to provide a unique, visual tour. With previously unseen interior photographs, the reader is led inside the world of Princess Diana—room-by-room, memory-by-memory.

He paints a faithful and poignant tribute in remembrance of 'the boss' as the person who shared her private world and knew her best. In this fascinating new account, he allows the reader to feel 'at home with Diana', sharing her inner-most feelings, hopes and philosophies that teach us more about her mind and the way she thought.

We learn of her amusing Hollywood relationships, the true depth of her happiness with 'The One'; the amazing story that illustrates her compassion; her sisterhood with Sarah Ferguson—and the desperate attempts to heal their rift; and a never-before-told account that provides new evidence about the real nature of her relationship with Dodi Al Fayed.

There are also rare photographs of the jewels Diana wore and treasured as Paul Burrell celebrates her style and fashion.

The Way We Were reflects, remembers and celebrates the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and captures her vivacity and love of life as we move towards the tenth anniversary of her death in 2007.

In his twenty-one years of royal duty, Paul Burrell first served Her Majesty the Queen as personal footman from 1976 to 1987 when he moved to Highgrove to become butler to the Prince and Princess of Wales. It was in 1992, following the couple's separation, that he moved to Kensington palace at the personal request of Princess Diana.

Following her death, he was honoured by the Queen with the Royal Victorian Medal for his loyalty and service to Diana, Princess of Wales. He then spearheaded a fundraising campaign for her official memorial fund that raised £100 million.

Since then, Paul has become a bestselling author and television personality. His earlier book, A Royal Duty, sold two million copies worldwide and was a number one New York Times bestseller.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Princess Diana's butler presents his second book of recollections on the famous royal whose life fascinated the media and whose death bereaved countless strangers. Though early pages are forebodingly plain, Burrell moves from a self-conscious chronicle of the princess (and her friend the butler) to sincere, heartfelt reportage of Diana's bravery as she soldiers through life post-royal divorce and finds a new life's mission helping the helpless across the world. More to the point, Burrell gets dishy: one bittersweet chapter tells of the modest and brilliant heart surgeon whom Burrell insists was Diana's true love, while another examines the complex relationship between the princess and Fergie, the Duchess of York, with asides on the Queen Mother, the Queen and Charles. Much is made of Diana's love for her sons and her search for truths to live by, which Burrell believes propelled her to "an emotional coming-of-age" before the end of her brief life. Though there's nothing particularly revelatory here, Burrell's heavily-covered subject matter benefits from his obvious and genuine affection ("She was real. She was breathtakingly so, and it was the one quality that hit people between the eyes more than any other when they met her"), making this an endearing, if perhaps superfluous, testament.
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About the Author

Paul is married to Maria, and the couple live in Cheshire. They have two sons, Alexander and Nicholas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; First edition (September 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061138959
• ISBN-13: 978-0061138959
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #432,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Royalty > Princess Diana

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Welcome Addition to the Literature of Diana, September 28, 2006

By 

Reviewer from Queens - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Way We Were: Remembering Diana (Hardcover)

Despite some other Diana book authors (I shall not name them here) who bashed and trashed the late Princess of Wales and are now shedding crocodile tears over Burrell's book (the effect on the "poor boys" when they themselves labeled Diana a "neurotic", or "damaged" or worse), I find Burrell's book an excellent choice for fans of the late Princess. It describes the Princess as a woman with a wicked sense of humor, a devoted friend, and someone who must have been very interesting to work for. She comes across as an excellent mother devoted to William and Harry whose pictures appeared throughout Diana's royal apartments during her lifetime. Diana's devotion to Hasnet Khan is detailed here as well; Burrell maintains that her relationship with Dodi Fayed would have broken up eventually had it run its course. I see nothing objectionable in this book, Burrell offers interesting insights into the late Princess. This is a must read for fans of Princess Diana. The photographs included are marvelous--there is a very touching picture of Diana and Mother Theresa among them.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You have to read this book, September 18, 2006

By 

Sabrina Broussard - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way We Were: Remembering Diana (Hardcover)

Paul Burrell did an excellent job on this book. I laughed and cried reading it. It's so full of emotion. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get a real since of what it was like taking care of the "Boss" . The pictures are beautiful, and you can certainly get a feel of how it was to actually live in KP apt's 8 & 9.

Paul, thank you for sharing and enlightening me on how Diana was treated by the Spencers, the Royal Family and friends. I would have never known what she went through without you.

You were a true friend to her and to those who think he should not have written this book, that somehow it may have been an invasion of her privacy or whatever, believe me when I tell you that this book is the most Precious Memorial anyone has done for her. He knew what a privilege it was just knowing her and getting to be that close to her. From the beginning to the end, he had her best intentions at heart always!!

Get this book you will be so glad you did.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I want a Butler like this......., October 29, 2006

By 

darncat "D.C." - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Way We Were: Remembering Diana (Hardcover)

If I read only this book and then someone gave me a pop quiz on Dianas' life I would make a 100. My favorite by far of any book I have read about Diana.



Someone was wondering why the author would even mention the incident in the garden. He says in the book that Diana herself said, that the way the Rumor mill worked in her life SOMEONE would surely claim at some point in time that it was HER baby. He wanted to tell the world this was NOT the case. He straightens out other rumors which have surfaced since the last book as well.



This man is still protecting Diana and I adore him for it.{I WANT a loyal Butler Manservant guy......} He mentions the photos are likely to be the ONLY ones to capture how she really lived her daily life .The Royals made museums out of the OTHER royals residences' who have passed, but tore through Dianas' place like it was just the home of a "tenant" who has come and gone. Ripping everything out, down to the electrical sockets. Um.........how touching. And Royal.



I think all things considered Diana would have definitely preferred having pictures of how she left her desk preserved for all eternity....{since I guess it was too much to ask of the Royal family to have preserved the ACTUAL desk } and in exchange a few secrets be told. She was after all the Mother to the future King of England................I think there are a few people who might be remotely interested in where she sat as she composed letters to her son.........



This book was wonderful and although it gives details of her life...it is not in a disrespectful way that would betray her memory. He refers often to how she laughed a LOT and her laughter would carry throughout the house. For anyone who loved Diana you will be at peace to hear how beautifully and graciously she lived her daily life, and that she did indeed have one true friend who protects her to this day. It is a wonderful read , do not miss it. I have to admit though , there are probably more than a few people who will NOT be happy to hear what Diana really thought of them. If I take issue with anything, it is with the fact that she worked so hard to be gracious to everyone, even if she loathed them, and now a few people are going to learn what she really thought. THAT might cause her to reach down from Heaven and smack Paul....but overall it is simply a wonderful book!