Paul Burrell warns Prince Harry faces ‘icy’ coronation; Pope’s gift for Kings’ Charles revealed

Princess Diana’s former butler has a warning for Prince Harry, as Pope Francis personally gifts King Charles rare gift linked to Jesus’ crucifixion.

Archbishop of Wales Andrew John poses with the Cross of Wales. Picture: Getty Images

Princess Diana’s former butler and “best friend” has warned Prince Harry will have a “problem” a the King’s coronation, as “the Windsors don’t forgive”.

Paul Burrell, who worked for Diana for more than a decade until her sudden death in 1997, said that the Duke of Sussexes can expect a “cold and icy” reception after he goes “to sit amongst family who he’s pushed under the bus.”

The ex-royal staff member said he “felt sorry for Charles” but warned that Prince Harry could just be attending the coronation to “gather information for (his) next book”.

“Harry’s got a problem because he’s going to have to sit amongst family who he’s pushed under the bus and criticised and what kind of reception is he going to get?,” Mr Burrell, according to The Mirror.

“A very cold and icy one because the Windsors don’t forgive, they do hold a grudge.”

Prince Harry will be at the coronation without Meghan Markle and faces an “icy” reception, says Princess Diana’s former butler. Picture: WireImage

“The family do push people out on the margins if they don’t conform and follow the party rules,” he continued, adding that King Charles has “laid down the rules and Harry should follow them.”

“It’s the least he could’ve done, to do his father a favour and come to the coronation, even if he is by himself.”

POPE’S GIFT FOR KINGS’ CORONATION

Meanwhile, two shards of the True Cross, said to be the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, have been gifted to King Charles by Pope Francis to mark the royal’s coronation.

The small fragments have been incorporated into the Cross of Wales, which will be seen by millions as it is carried into Westminster Abbey on May 6.

Both pieces are shaped as crosses, one being 1cm in size and the other 5mm, and are set into the larger silver cross behind a rose crystal gemstone so they can only be viewed up close.

The Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, blessed the Cross of Wales at a church service on Wednesday morning, ahead of it being brought to London to be carried before the King at the head of the coronation procession next month.

Archbishop of Wales Andrew John with the Cross of Wales at Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno Llandudno, Wales. Picture: Getty Images

Archbishop Andrew, blessing the cross during the service before around 200 parishioners and dignitaries at Holy Trinity Church in Llandudno, North Wales, said: “May this cross be sanctified that whoever prays before it in your honour, may find health and wholeness for body and soul, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.”

After the coronation, the cross will be shared between the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches in Wales.

It contains two shards from the cross said to have been used in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Picture: Getty Images

Designer Michael Lloyd took two years to make the Cross of Wales, involving more than 217,000 hammer blows to chase out its design.

Crafted from recycled silver bullion, provided by the Royal Mint in Llantrisant, South Wales, the cross also includes a shaft of Welsh windfall timber and a stand of Welsh slate.

Words from the last sermon of St David are inscribed on the back of the cross in Welsh, which read: “Byddwch lawn. Cadwch y ffydd. Gwnewch y Pethau Bychain”, translated as: “Be joyful. Keep the faith. Do the little things.”

The silver elements of the cross bear a full hallmark, including the Royal Mark – a leopard’s head, which was applied by the King himself in November 2022 when visiting The Goldsmiths’ Centre in London.

Archbishop Andrew said: “We are honoured that His Majesty has chosen to mark our centenary with a cross that is both beautiful and symbolic.

“Its design speaks to our Christian faith, our heritage, our resources and our commitment to sustainability.

“We are delighted too that its first use will be to guide Their Majesties into Westminster Abbey at the coronation service.”

Originally published as Paul Burrell warns Prince Harry faces ‘icy’ coronation; Pope’s gift for Kings’ Charles revealed