Princes' fury over Diana book

Prince William wants disclosures to stop

Princes William and Harry have accused Paul Burrell, their mother's former butler, of "cold and overt betrayal" over revelations in his forthcoming book.

They said if Princess Diana were still alive she would be mortified by its contents, including the claim she believed there was a plot to kill her in a car crash.

"We ask Paul to bring these revelations to an end," the princes said in a statement released by Clarence House on Friday evening.

Following the princes' attack, Mr Burrell refused to apologise and said he was saddened by their criticisms because his book was a "tribute to their mother".

Buckingham Palace is considering its legal position on Mr Burrell's book and has been sent a copy for inspection.

'Deeply painful'

The princes' statement said: "We cannot believe that Paul who was entrusted with so much could abuse his position in such a cold and overt betrayal.

Paul Burrell's book is released on Monday

"It is not only deeply painful for the two of us but also for everyone else affected and it would mortify our mother if she were alive today and, if we might say so, we feel we are more able to speak for our mother than Paul".

A Clarence House spokeswoman said William and Harry wanted to draw a line under Mr Burrell's allegations.

"It's telling Paul Burrell that they've had enough," she said.

The princes would also be prepared to meet the former royal butler to discuss the matter, she added.

'Unnecessary ordeal'

In a statement issued through his publisher Penguin, Mr Burrell said the princes would realise the book was a tribute to their mother when they had the chance to read it.

He said: "My only intention in writing this book was to defend the Princess and stand in her corner.

Mr Burrell said he had the support of some of the Princess's "closest friends".

He continued: "I would also like to point out that, following the collapse of my trial at the Old Bailey last year, no one from the Royal Family contacted me or said sorry for the unnecessary ordeal myself, my wife and my sons were put through.

"Neither do I say sorry for writing this book of which I am extremely proud and I am convinced the Princess would be proud of too."

Paris crash

Earlier this week the Daily Mirror published an extract from Mr Burrell's book relating to the claim Diana feared for her life.

In a letter allegedly written by the princess 10 months before her death in a Paris car crash she apparently told her butler, "this phase in my life is the most dangerous".

Mr Burrell's book also claims that the Duke of Edinburgh wrote to Diana telling her he and the Queen "disapproved" of the Prince of Wales's affair with Camilla Parker Bowles.

The Duke is said to have written to Diana: "I cannot imagine anyone in their right mind leaving you for Camilla."