'I worked for the royals – Sarah Ferguson sent staff into a fit over one request'

A butler who worked for theRoyal Family has spoken about a time Sarah Ferguson annoyed some members of the Buckingham Palace staff when she failed to fulfil one of their requests.

Paul Burrell, 67, famously worked for Princess Diana for around a decade between 1987 and 1997. In his latest book, ‘The Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana,' he speaks about the differences between Diana and Sarah.

In recent days Sarah has been in the news after it was alleged thatshe sent a grovelling apology to the millionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, one in which it is claimed she called him a “supreme friend” after his release from prison.

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It has been alleged that the Duchess of York emailed Epstein after she had sworn never to contact him again in an interview given in March 2011.

However,the Express reports that the email she sent to him was soon after in April, a message in which it is claimed she said Epstein had "always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family”.

The allegations have sent shockwaves through British society, years after Prince Andrew’s fall from grace following his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis that has seen the Duke of York retreat from public duties.

Furthermore, the allegations made against Sarah Ferguson have reignited interest in her and her relationship with the Royal Family, including how she behaved. According to former royal butler Paul Burrell, she once angered staff when she refused to tell them what she wanted to eat for a picnic.

He said: “When the men were out stalking, the ladies would meet them on the hills for a picnic lunch. A page would enquire in advance what people wanted to eat and compile a list.

"On one occasion, Fergie sent one member of staff into a rage having failed to comply with his request. In a voice heard by all the ladies assembled, including the Queen, he boomed, ‘What does that red-haired mare want for lunch?’

"It was accepted with silence as if it was never said. No reprimand. The staff had formed their opinion based on gossip and her behaviour.”

Comparing Sarah to Diana, Paulremarked that whilst the former was considered a breath of fresh air to some, that many preferred the latter.

He explained: “Fergie was twenty-six and like a bouncy, uncontrollable red setter puppy. She was not as popular or as well received downstairs as Diana had been.

“Fergie may have been a breath of fresh air for the Royals but the staff preferred the gentleness of the established Princess of Wales whom they had known for almost five years.

“Fergie was a newcomer and she had to earn the trust of the staff. She was far too familiar for her own good, but the staff could be snobs at times.”

Sarah Ferguson's representatives refused to comment.