Paul Burrell insists his ex-wife always knew he was attracted to men.

Paul Burrell

Paul Burrell

The 58-year-old former royal butler - who is preparing to marry his partner Graham Cooper - says former spouse Maria knew of his "lifestyle" before they wed in 1994 but was happy to go ahead with tying the knot as he had feelings for her too.

Paul - who has sons Nick, 24, and Alex, 27, with his ex-wife - said: " She wanted it to be for life [but] I think she went into it with her eyes wide open.

"She knew of me in the palace and she knew my lifestyle."

But asked if that meant she knew he was gay before they married, he added: "I don't like that word, gay. What's gay? I think there's a sliding scale of black to white, we're all on there somewhere.

"Yes I was attracted to men and she knew, but I was also attracted to women and we had a wonderful life."

And Paul - who was separated from Maria for a decade before they officially divorced last year - has no regrets about his marriage.

Speaking on UK TV show 'This Morning', he said: "My golden years were marrying Maria and having our boys, I will never regret that. I would not want to turn the clock back and change it, that's who I am."

Paul admitted it was very hard to discuss his sexuality with his sons, but he is adamant it doesn't change who he is to them or Maria.

He said: "How do you, as a father, tell your children. I loved my wife, I still love my wife, I love my boys, they're the best thing that ever happened.

"To sit with them and talk about my sexuality, to cry with them and say 'This is your dad, I'm not going to change, I'll always be here for you'.

"I said that to my wife, 'I'm your best friend, I'll always look after you, I'll always look out for you.' "

Despite previous reports Paul had confided in the late Princess Diana about his sexuality, he insists he never "explicitly" told her he was attracted to men, but didn't think he needed to have the conversation.

He said: "I never had that conversation with her, I was never explicit, I was a great source of what to wear and when to wear it, I did great flower arrangements. It didn't have to be said. I think Diana was a very good judge of character."

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