The Royal Insider

 Book 94 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read from October 22 - 26

The Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen,

the King and Princess Diana

by Paul Burrell

published 2025

3 stars

First of all, I'm not British so I'm not familiar at all with the day-to-day tabloids, tv appearances, etc. meaning my knowledge of Paul Burrell is pretty slim. He seems to want to be/remain famous just based on my opinions of those who go on reality tv shows, as well as one of his main gripes about The Crown being that there wasn't a character representing him. 

I felt a little icky reading this because it felt like telling tales out of school but admittedly, I was also very curious. He definitely spills tea and names names but I'll take the advice that he says the Queen gave him and read it with a grain of salt.

 

Without any other information about the veracity of his words, I'll go off the writing of the book itself.  He cuts no slack for those he doesn't like (Prince Harry in particular) and seems to have a bit of a 'hero' complex for himself.  It's hard to believe he was involved in so many pivotal moments (such as saying he chose the 'revenge dress') but never had anything negative to say about himself or his interactions.  It comes off a bit pompous, like when someone says their biggest flaw is "working too hard" in a job interview.

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Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 94th book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)