Diana's butler arrives in court

The former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales, today arrived at the Old Bailey to face charges of stealing hundreds of items belonging to Diana, the Prince of Wales and Prince William.

Paul Burrell arrived at the court in a taxi. He said nothing to assembled reporters and photographers.

Burrell, 43, of Farndon, Cheshire, is charged with three counts of theft which relate to 302 items belonging to Diana’s estate, 22 belonging to Prince William and four from Prince Charles. He was arrested in January last year.

The items were allegedly stolen between January 1 1997 and June 30 1998 from Kensington Palace.

They include jewellery, CDs, hats, bags, crockery, personal photographs and negatives, cards and letters.

It is alleged letters from Diana to Prince William were among those taken.

Burrell denies any impropriety, maintaining the items were given to him by his employer.