Police Charge Princess Diana’s Butler in Theft of 342 Items

British police charged one of the late Princess Diana’s most trusted butlers Thursday with the theft of 342 items from her Kensington Palace residence, including nightgowns and a bullwhip belonging to Prince Charles.

Paul Burrell, 43, of Farndon in Cheshire, in western England, faces three charges of theft, Scotland Yard said.

Burrell, described by Diana as her “rock,” is charged with stealing 315 items from the princess’ estate, six items from her former husband and heir to the throne Prince Charles, and 21 items from her son Prince William.

Among the 315 items allegedly taken from Diana were photographs from her sons’ birthday parties, a letter from Mother Teresa, a writing desk that was a wedding present from the city of Aberdeen, and recordings by Neil Diamond, Leo Sayer, ABBA, Elton John and Phil Collins. Burrell is also accused of taking a Christian LaCroix embroidered jacket, a brown leather jacket, a brown leather dress, skirts, evening dresses, high heels and bags by Prada and Versace.

Among the six items he is accused of stealing from Prince Charles are an inscribed silver tray, a metal pepper grinder and a book, “Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour.” Another was described by police only as “an Indiana Jones bullwhip.”

Items allegedly taken from Prince William included a photo of “Baywatch” star David Hasselhoff.

Burrell maintains that the items were gifts.

Scotland Yard said the alleged thefts took place on or before June 30, 1998. Diana, who was divorced from Prince Charles in 1996, was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

Burrell has been released on bail. A hearing is set for today.

The charges against Burrell, who was with Diana through her difficult divorce, follow an investigation into the alleged theft of jewels, lavish gifts and millions of dollars in cash from her estate.

Police declined to put a value on the stolen goods on the grounds that some had an intrinsic value that made them impossible to price.