Theatre composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has slammed Paul Burrell for attempting to sell his gifts to Britain’s late Princess Diana.
Lloyd Webber - who gave Diana signed records from his hit musical ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ - was furious to discover her former butler kept them following her death in 1997.
Lloyd-Webber told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “That awful butler, Burrell or whatever his name is. He had all Diana’s ‘Phantom’ memorabilia. “I was so furious about that, and when I saw in the papers he was trying to hawk it about I was so angry.” ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ was Diana’s favourite musical and its stars Sarah Brightman and Sir Cliff Richard had signed the records. They were found, along with other items belonging to Diana, in Burrell’s home in 2001. The former royal aide was charged with theft, but the trial collapsed after it was revealed Burrell had told the queen he was keeping some of Diana’s possessions.
Lloyd-Webber, 59, revealed he is planning his own tribute to mark the tenth anniversary of Diana’s death this year.
His ex-wife Sarah Brightman will perform ‘All I Ask Of You’ – one of Diana’s favourite songs – at this summer’s Concert For Diana.
Lloyd-Webber said: “Diana loved this song. It is important to get it right. It is slightly personal for both Sarah and I.” Swaziland’s King Mswati III has reportedly married his 13th wife in secret.
The King – Africa’s last absolute monarch – tied the knot with 19-year-old Phindile Nkamnbule on Saturday (14.04.07), according to reports.
A member of the royal family confirmed the marriage, but the Governor of Ludzidzni Jim Gama said: ‘I am not aware that there is a new Inkhosikati. Why is it news that there is a new wife? Who cares if you marry another wife?’ Mswati, 39, first met Phindile in 2005, when she was a 17-year-old student. The age-gap caused outrage but she quickly dropped out of school to assume her royal duties.
It was not the first time the King has caused controversy when choosing one of his wives.
He came under fire when he married his 11th wife, 18-year-old Zena Mahlangu, as her mother claimed she had been taken against her will and took the matter to court.
However, she later withdrew the case when Mswati reportedly threatened the judges presiding over the matter.
The King is a controversial figure in his native Swaziland as he and his wives live lavish and extravagant lifestyles, while 70 per cent of the country’s 1.1million citizens live on less than $1 a day.
© bangshowbiz.biz
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