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Diana considered 'marrying Khan' Diana 'considered marrying Khan'
(about 1 hour later)
Princess Diana's former butler has told the inquest into her death she had considered a private marriage to heart surgeon Hasnat Khan.Princess Diana's former butler has told the inquest into her death she had considered a private marriage to heart surgeon Hasnat Khan.
Paul Burrell, who worked for Diana for more than 10 years, said he spoke to his parish priest about how a Christian woman and Muslim man might marry.Paul Burrell, who worked for Diana for more than 10 years, said he spoke to his parish priest about how a Christian woman and Muslim man might marry.
Diana had said she loved Mr Khan more than "any other man", Mr Burrell said.Diana had said she loved Mr Khan more than "any other man", Mr Burrell said.
He also told London's High Court he had connected Diana's network of friends and been "at the hub of the wheel".He also told London's High Court he had connected Diana's network of friends and been "at the hub of the wheel".
Diana, her companion Dodi Al Fayed and their driver Henri Paul died in Paris in a car crash in August 1997.Diana, her companion Dodi Al Fayed and their driver Henri Paul died in Paris in a car crash in August 1997.
She asked me if it was possible to arrange a private marriage between her and Hasnat Khan Paul BurrellShe asked me if it was possible to arrange a private marriage between her and Hasnat Khan Paul Burrell
The "extremely serious relationship" between the princess and Mr Khan had lasted for two years, Mr Burrell said, and Mr Khan had been a regular visitor to Kensington Palace until the couple parted in July 1997.The "extremely serious relationship" between the princess and Mr Khan had lasted for two years, Mr Burrell said, and Mr Khan had been a regular visitor to Kensington Palace until the couple parted in July 1997.
When asked by Ian Burnett QC, representing the inquest, whether she had "contemplated" marriage with Mr Khan, the former butler replied: "Yes, she did.When asked by Ian Burnett QC, representing the inquest, whether she had "contemplated" marriage with Mr Khan, the former butler replied: "Yes, she did.
"She asked me if it was possible to arrange a private marriage between her and Hasnat Khan.""She asked me if it was possible to arrange a private marriage between her and Hasnat Khan."
It is not known whether Mr Khan was aware of these discussions.It is not known whether Mr Khan was aware of these discussions.
Yacht holidayYacht holiday
Mr Burrell also said he had not been given the impression that her boyfriend, Dodi Al Fayed, was "the one".Mr Burrell also said he had not been given the impression that her boyfriend, Dodi Al Fayed, was "the one".
He described Diana's relationship with Mr Al Fayed as "a very new friendship which developed into something more".He described Diana's relationship with Mr Al Fayed as "a very new friendship which developed into something more".
The next gift you are going to receive will be a ring and it could be misconstrued as an engagement ring Paul Burrell to DianaThe next gift you are going to receive will be a ring and it could be misconstrued as an engagement ring Paul Burrell to Diana
He told the court he did not believe the couple's romance had begun during a holiday on Mr Al Fayed's yacht with her sons, Princes William and Harry at the end of July 1997.He told the court he did not believe the couple's romance had begun during a holiday on Mr Al Fayed's yacht with her sons, Princes William and Harry at the end of July 1997.
Instead, he thought it was only after their return that the pair became romantically linked.Instead, he thought it was only after their return that the pair became romantically linked.
Mr Burrell also said a ring bought by Mr Fayed for the princess was "not an engagement ring, it was a friendship band".Mr Burrell also said a ring bought by Mr Fayed for the princess was "not an engagement ring, it was a friendship band".
He said that to make sure no-one, including Mr Al Fayed, would be misled into thinking it was anything else, Diana wore it on the fourth finger of her right hand instead of on her left.He said that to make sure no-one, including Mr Al Fayed, would be misled into thinking it was anything else, Diana wore it on the fourth finger of her right hand instead of on her left.
Hasnat Khan was in a relationship with Diana for two yearsHasnat Khan was in a relationship with Diana for two years
Mr Burrell said she had told him: 'I need marriage like a rash'."Mr Burrell said she had told him: 'I need marriage like a rash'."
He said the couple were definitely not engaged, and rubbished rumours that they had planned to wed.He said the couple were definitely not engaged, and rubbished rumours that they had planned to wed.
"This was only a 30-day relationship. The princess had just finished a long-term relationship with someone she had cared deeply about. I know that because I was there and saw it."This was only a 30-day relationship. The princess had just finished a long-term relationship with someone she had cared deeply about. I know that because I was there and saw it.
"And on the rebound from that relationship, (she) had met someone who was very kind, generous and spoiling. The princess enjoyed it.""And on the rebound from that relationship, (she) had met someone who was very kind, generous and spoiling. The princess enjoyed it."
Duke 'not nasty'Duke 'not nasty'
Mr Burrell later told the court he had seen letters between the princess and her father-in-law, the Duke of Edinburgh.Mr Burrell later told the court he had seen letters between the princess and her father-in-law, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Philip is not known for diplomacy but he certainly wouldn't have written nasty notes to the princess. He was fond of the princess Paul BurrellPrince Philip is not known for diplomacy but he certainly wouldn't have written nasty notes to the princess. He was fond of the princess Paul Burrell
The correspondence, written as Diana and the Prince of Wales were divorcing in 1992, was “sharp" but not nasty and reflected the "healthy banter" between the two of them, he said. The correspondence, written as Diana and the Prince of Wales were divorcing in 1992, was ¿sharp" but not nasty and reflected the "healthy banter" between the two of them, he said.
"The princess did not particularly like what she was told, but Prince Philip was always frank.""The princess did not particularly like what she was told, but Prince Philip was always frank."
Mr Burrell dismissed claims by psychic healer Simone Simmons who said she had seen two letters from Prince Philip around 1994 or 1995 in which he made disparaging remarks.Mr Burrell dismissed claims by psychic healer Simone Simmons who said she had seen two letters from Prince Philip around 1994 or 1995 in which he made disparaging remarks.
"Prince Philip is not known for diplomacy but he certainly wouldn't have written nasty notes to the princess. He was fond of the princess," Mr Burrell said."Prince Philip is not known for diplomacy but he certainly wouldn't have written nasty notes to the princess. He was fond of the princess," Mr Burrell said.
He added: "Why would he want to harm her? It's not possible."He added: "Why would he want to harm her? It's not possible."
Mr Burrell is likely to be questioned about a note from the princess to him in which she said that her husband Prince Charles was "planning an accident in my car".Mr Burrell is likely to be questioned about a note from the princess to him in which she said that her husband Prince Charles was "planning an accident in my car".
He may also be asked about a conversation he had with the Queen in which he claims she warned him: "There are powers at work in this country about which we have no knowledge."He may also be asked about a conversation he had with the Queen in which he claims she warned him: "There are powers at work in this country about which we have no knowledge."
In 2002 Mr Burrell, who worked for the Royal Family for more than 20 years, was cleared of stealing Diana's possessions after an Old Bailey trial collapsed.In 2002 Mr Burrell, who worked for the Royal Family for more than 20 years, was cleared of stealing Diana's possessions after an Old Bailey trial collapsed.