Overview
- Paul Burrell says Buckingham Palace staff called it the “Gin Palace,” describing a drinking culture that he claims loosened inhibitions among employees.
- He alleges senior staff had tonic-water bottles emptied and refilled with gin to supply select, invitation-only parties in their rooms.
- Burrell describes a rigid downstairs hierarchy, with cliques and soirees limited by rank and length of service.
- He recounts personal routines he observed for senior royals, including King Charles using a silver key to wind down toothpaste and having pyjamas laundered or pressed daily.
- The book also claims early entertaining by Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson left kitchen staff overworked, prompting complaints to the Master of the Household and what Burrell says was a quiet intervention by the Queen.