Paul Burrell to wed male partner

7 March 2017

Paul Burrell is to marry his male partner of 10 years.

Paul Burrell

The 58-year-old former royal aide - who was famously described by the late Princess Diana as her "rock" when he served as her butler - officially divorced wife Maria nine months ago after 32 years of marriage, and he has now revealed he is gay and planning to tie the knot with his lover Graham Cooper next month.

A spokesperson for Paul told The Sun newspaper: "I can confirm their forthcoming marriage."

Paul - who was believed to have been living apart from Maria for several years before they formally split - and Graham are former business partners and kept their relationship under wraps for several years, with the former 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' contestant only recently telling his adult sons Alex and Nick.

But friends are delighted the news is now out in the open.

A source said: "He's so much happier now that he can tell the world and be comfortable with himself and his relationship."

And the insider claimed Paul kept his sexuality a "closely-guarded secret" for a long time, and the first person he confided in was the princess, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997.

The source said: "Paul's friends and family all know but for a long time he kept it a closely guarded secret.

"And for a time, literally nobody knew.

"He did share it with Diana while he worked with her because they were so close.

"But at the time she was the only woman he felt he could tell."

Paul and Graham celebrated their impending nuptials with a joint stag party at a drag club in Blackpool, North West England, and will tie the knot in a circus-themed ceremony in the Lake District.

A source said they have invited a "limited" number of guests to witness the nuptials, which will take place at a five-star hotel with "stunning views".

The insider added: "They want to let their hair down and enjoy themselves. Guests have a rough idea of where it will take place.

"But to increase the suspense Paul and Graham have kept the exact details of the venue quiet."