Ex-royal butler reveals genius way staff would sneak alcohol around Buckingham Palace

A former royal butler has shared the clever but crafty ways royal staffers would sneak alcohol around Buckingham Palace for consumption. Paul Burrell, who has recently published his book 'The Royal Insider', has shared untold stories of his life having spent two decades in royal service.

The 67-year-old worked for the Firm firstly as a footman to Queen Elizabeth II, then as a butler to Charles, and then most famously for Princess Diana. He explained how Buckingham Palace was often referred to as 'Gin Palace' as the alcohol flowed so freely.

As reported in The Sun, he revealed: "I quickly became familiar with the ingenious ways in which the household smuggled booze for their soirees. I would be ordered by senior members of staff to empty a screw-topped tonic water bottle each night and fill it with gin for them to use for parties in their rooms. Gallons of gin were consumed every week - some legitimately, some not."

The former butler, further stated: "Footmen could be seen carrying Russell Hobbs electric kettles around the palace, not full of water but full of gin."

The description of the new royal book reads: "Burrell shares many untold stories of his life at home and abroad with the Royals. With warmth, candour, and rare insight, he recounts unexpected moments of intimacy with the Queen, who gently guided a fresh-faced, 18-year-old Burrell through palace life.

"He speaks candidly about the tensions that simmered during those years - including the breakdown of Charles and Diana's marriage and his own complex relationship with Princes William and Harry."

The ex-royal butler has since published several volumes examining his time at Buckingham Palace, Highgrove House, and subsequently Kensington Palace.

His 2003 autobiography, A Royal Duty, resulted in a rift with Prince William and Prince Harry. They allegedly branded the publication a "cold and overt betrayal" of their mother.

Speaking on behalf of Genting Casino, Paul revealed the reason behind his decision to release The Royal Insider.

He said: "We thought that the Queen would be there forever. We thought that she'd be at least 100, we thought that she'd live to be as old as her mother. I think that because of her passing and at the same time, I was reflecting on my own mortality and thought that I might not have much longer to write this down, so I better get it done."

I spent hours just actually pouring my feelings down onto paper. Life is just a tapestry of memories and then it's over."