Theft Charges

Yes, although Burrell initially faced charges of theft, her subsequent trial sensationally collapsed when none other than the Queen spoke in her defense. Apparently, she had given her former employee permission to keep the 310 items in question. And as a result of this intervention, all legal proceedings against Burrell were dropped.

But the aforementioned court case was not the last time Burrell’s conduct was called into question. During a 2008 investigation into Diana’s death, it was discovered that the former member of the royal household had clandestinely duplicated correspondence between the princess and others. Burrell argued, however, that he had done so because of the “historical importance” of the documents.