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PRINCESS Diana had no plans to marry boyfriend Dodi Fayed when she died because she was still pining for her ex-lover, her former butler, Paul Burrell, has told the inquest into her death.

Mr Burrell made his much anticipated appearance at the inquest overnight, detailing his close working and personal relationship with Diana and the royal family which stretched over two decades.

Mr Burrell said the princess regularly confided in him and, as her butler, he knew most of what was going on in her life, including intimate details about her love affairs with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan and Dodi Fayed.

He said Diana had a two year relationship with Dr Khan, whom she described as her “soul mate” and wanted to marry, but ended it in a late night meeting in Battersea Park, south London, in July 1997 because she was frustrated at his demand they continue to keep their affair a secret.

After the break-up, which happened just weeks before Diana was killed in a Paris car crash in August 1997, Mr Burrell said the princess accepted invitations to holiday with Dodi in July and again the next month.

He said he had several phone conversations with Diana while she was on holiday and she had told him how she found Dodi to be “charming, handsome and very attentive” and loved how he had flown her one night to Paris for dinner and given her several gifts including a necklace, bracelet, earrings and a ring.

But Mr Burrell said Dodi had given the princess a friendship band, not an engagement ring, and Diana had discussed the gift with him during one of their telephone calls.

“It was a very exciting time for the princess,” Mr Burrell told the inquest.

“It was very fresh, new and exciting.

“(But) it wasn`t an engagement ring. It was a friendship band.

“It matched existing jewellery which had been given to her (by Dodi).”

Mr Burrell said the princess had told him during one of their discussions about Dodi and whether he would propose that she “needed marriage like a bad rash”.

He said at the time, while Diana thought Dodi was charming, she was on the “rebound” from Dr Khan and had not given up hope of rekindling her relationship with him.

“This is the man she loved more than any other,” Mr Burrell said.

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Today`s Top Picks

Antarctica melting faster

THE most comprehensive study of Antarctica confirms fears the ice cap is melting faster than predicted, leaving a NASA climate expert "astonished".

• 60 Minutes: Ex-Nine in court for flashing co-worker
• MySpace invite: Wild party teen dodges livid parents
• Childhood dream: Kylie to meet `John Revolting`

Search for more stories on this topic on Newstext, our news archive service. Click here

Also in World

• Paris: Sarkozy weds Bruni - report
• Nevada: Barack Obama inches ahead in next battleground
• Rome: Vatican debates good vs evil of Harry Potter
• Indonesia: Suharto clings to life as Asian allies pay respects
• Iraq: Six killed, seven wounded in booby-trapped home
• Taliban: Aussies escape bomb carnage
• Hong Kong: Animal activists disrupt annual Fashion Week
• Norway: Massacre threat shuts Oslo secondary school

Video

Watch this Video NOW!

Knut-mania all over again?

A FIVE-week-old polar bear cub has been separated from its mother after being dropped repeatedly.

Latest videos

• Police officer on rape charges
• Cricket players united on film
• Posh `worst-dressed celeb`
• US election: how it works

More Video

Blogroll

Splat!
Evan Maloney sheds some light on common male sexual fantasies.

• Blogocracy: New broadband
• Fully Chic: Crocs vs thongs?
• Jack Marx Live: Is it racist...?
• Movie Mash: Filmic she-devils
• Squanderlust: Rude to be rich?
• Tech: Expert headphone tips

Advertisement

Love & Relationships - Find a date near you on Match.com - # 1 Online Dating site Worldwide.

 

Virgin Mobile Cheap calls & text across Australia.

 

Earn a big 7.00%p.a. With directsaver, the online savings account from St.George

 

Win return flights to London. Enter now to win two return flights to London courtesy of British Airways

 

Low Fee and $50 credit Get a Credit Card with a credit bonus.

 

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  What is RSS?
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