Diana’s former aide reveals the royals’ hidden gin secrets

Princess Diana’s former aide, Paul Burrell, has stirred up headlines with explosive details about life inside Buckingham Palace.

In his new book The Royal Insider, Burrell revealed that “gallons of gin were consumed there every week, some legitimately, some not.” He described the inventive ways palace staff managed to sneak alcohol around the royal residence. 

“I quickly became familiar with the ingenious ways in which the household smuggled booze for their soirées,” he wrote, as quoted by The Sun.

Burrell recalled being “ordered by senior members of staff to empty a screw-top tonic water bottle each night and fill it with gin.” He added that “footmen could be seen carrying Russell Hobbs electric kettles around the palace, not full of water but full of gin.”

Royal experts have long confirmed the family’s fondness for spirits. As Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News, “It was an open secret that the Queen Mother enjoyed a tipple.” She also reportedly enjoyed “a gin and Dubonnet at noon, red wine at lunch, a martini in the evening and pink champagne after dinner.”

While King Charles prefers a “meticulously prepared martini,” Prince William stands apart — affectionately nicknamed “One Pint Willy” by his cousins Zara and Mike Tindall.