However, in his biographical book “Spare” (“Reservist”), the Duke of Sussex dismissed this information as “absolute nonsense”. Harry explained that his brother William already owned the famous 12-carat sapphire ring when he proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010.
But Princess Diana’s former butler, who worked for the Princess of Wales for ten years, disputes what Harry wrote. Barrell told “The Mirror” that he was personally present when the brothers were allowed to choose which of the things that belonged to their mother they would like to keep as a memory.
“Harry told me: I always remember holding my mum’s hand and that ring hurt me because it was so big,” Paul Burrell shared his memories.
“When the boys came to Kensington Palace, I said to them, you have to pick something from your mother’s, you have to pick something that reminds you of your time here at Kensington Palace and your mother’s life.”
Princess Diana’s former butler said that William chose his mother’s Cartier watch, which was a gift from his father for her 21st birthday, and Harry decided to take the ring. Barel went on to add that William is “not a materialist” and the “shiniest” jewels do not attract him.
“What they chose was actually two very simple things – a ring and a watch. Not fantastic gems. These things meant something to the boys,” confirmed the butler.
In his book, the Duke of Sussex writes that he never gave the ring to his brother because it “wasn’t mine to give away. He already owned it. He asked for it after his mother’s death, and I happily agreed.”
Elsewhere, the prince wrote that the former butler made his “blood boil” when Barrell published a book about him after Princess Diana’s death, the Daily Mail reports.
Harry has said that Paul Burrell lived off his mum’s death, making a fortune with his book A Royal Duty and private revelations.
