Paul Burrell And Wife Maria To Divorce After 32 Years

Paul Burrell has confirmed that he and wife Maria are divorcing after 32 years of marriage.

Princess Diana’s former butler and his wife have faced speculation about their marriage recently, with claims that the two have been ‘living apart for years’.

Copyright [Rune Hellestad/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images]

Confirming the divorce in a statement issued on behalf of the couple, Paul’s spokesperson said the decision was ‘mutual’ and that their sons remain their priority.

The statement, issued to MailOnline, reads: “Our clients Paul & Maria Burrell would like to end any speculation over the past few days by confirming that they are currently going through a divorce.

“The decision to file for divorce was a mutual one, both Paul & Maria remain the best of friends and have two wonderful sons together who remain their priority.

“Paul & Maria will not be giving any further comments and would kindly request that their privacy is respected during this time.”

The couple in 1997. Copyright [JOHN STILLWELL/PA Archive/Press Association Images]

The two married in 1983 and have sons Alexander and Nicholas together.

It was recently claimed that Paul was set for a number of TV opportunities, including Strictly Come Dancing, to help with the divorce, with an insider telling The Sunday Express: “One of the reasons he wishes to star in reality shows could be because he needs money for an impending divorce.

“He is splitting from his long-suffering wife and may need to pay her off.”

He later denied that he’d been asked to appear on such reality shows.