BBC News Online: UK

Diana butler in court

Mr Burrell leaves the Old Bailey after receiving a trial date

Paul Burrell arrived at the Old Bailey on Thursday to face three charges of theft which relate to 302 items belonging to Diana's estate, 22 belonging to Prince William and four to Prince Charles.

He was arrested on suspicion of theft in January last year.

The items were allegedly stolen between 1 January 1997 and 30 June 1998 from Kensington Palace.

They include jewellery, CDs, hats, bags, crockery, personal photographs and negatives, cards and letters.

Letters from Diana to Prince William are alleged to be among those taken.

The date for the trial was put back because of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations in June.

BBC Royal Correspondent Nicholas Witchell said: "We are all aware and the court is aware that this is the Golden Jubilee year so it was decided that for pressing reasons, it was right to defer the trial until the autumn."

Two other people appeared at the Old Bailey on Thursday in connection with alleged theft from Diana.

Harold Brown, a former butler to the royal household, is to face trial on 2 December accused of stealing valuables from the princess's estate, including a £500,000 diamond-encrusted, Arabian boat.

Mr Brown, 48, worked for Diana and for Princess Margaret, and lives at Kensington Palace.

He will face trial with jeweller Jan Havlik, 50, of Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex, who is charged with dishonestly handling the items.

The men deny the charges.