Former Royal Butler Reflects on Winning Over Queen Elizabeth II's Corgis

Paul Burrell, who was previously a close friend and butler to Princess Diana, recounts a significant moment during his service to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Having worked for the Queen for over a decade, Burrell reveals that he used a unique approach to win the affection of her corgis. Before an important meeting with the Queen, he decided to sneak some sausages from the staff cafeteria and tucked them into his tailcoat pocket, thinking about how to impress the dogs.

When he entered the Queen’s presence, she recognized him and inquired about his love for dogs, prompting her to introduce him to her nine corgis and one Labrador. Faced with the challenge of remembering the dogs' names, Burrell decided to take all the leashes and lead them across the lawn, knowing they would be drawn to the smell of the sausages. After treating them to some sausage behind the greenhouse, he returned to find the Queen was amused by the dogs’ obvious affection towards him, which led her to keep him on for eleven years.

In his reflections, Burrell shared warm sentiments about Queen Elizabeth, describing her as "a lovely lady." Following his time with her, he continued to serve Prince Charles and maintained a close bond with Princess Diana, whom he regarded as one of his closest allies during his tenure. Recently, he expressed the belief that Diana would have wanted his current husband to look after him, showcasing the lasting impact of his relationships within the royal family.