It's a challenging job, but someone's got to do it. And the someone chosen to spend hours reading through Elizabeth II's personal diaries and documents is not a member of the royal family or an esteemed historian, but a retired palace footman known as "Tall Paul".
Paul Whybrew - whose nickname comes from the fact he's a towering 1.93 metres has been tasked by the King to sort out which of the late Queen's papers can be sent to a public archive and which must be kept for her family's eyes only.
Paul has been chosen because of the close bond he shared with the Queen over the 44 years he worked for her. In 1982, Paul was the first person to help Her Majesty after intruder Michael Fagan broke into her bedroom at Buckingham Palace. According to some reports, he wrestled Michael to the ground, then offered him a whisky to calm him down.
In 2012, he appeared with the Queen and James Bond actor Daniel Craig in the skit that kicked off the London Olympic Games. It was Paul who introduced James Bond to Her Majesty, and then accompanied the pair and a couple of the Queen's corgis along the corridor at Buckingham Palace.
During the worst of the Covid pandemic, he was part of "HMS Bubble" at Windsor Castle - the small group of staff who stayed with Her Majesty throughout the lockdowns. He would often join her and her dresser Angela Kelly on the sofa in the evening to watch TV.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 17, 2023-Ausgabe von New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 17, 2023-Ausgabe von New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Wax lyrical SHINE BRIGHT
We're not blowing smoke! These easy projects will light up your rooms in a jiffy
Mum's hero team GIVING GIGI A FLYING CHANCE
Twice her daughter has needed life-saving treatment
Call the midwife AROHA'S SPECIAL DELIVERIES
The maternity carer wants more pregnant mums to have the traditional Māori birth experienc
Winning his Queen back FRED & MARY'S TOUR OF LOVE
There's a lot riding on the royal couple's anniversary cruise
The winner TAKES IT ALL!
Five decades on from Abba's Arrival, we're still saying Thank You For the Music
The show must go on! TAYLA'S LIVING HER DREAM
From opera to operations, the young Kiwi performer is unstoppable
From Russia with love 'ADVENTURE'S IN MY BLOOD'
Victoria's glad she took the leap of faith, even though it was a desperate act
Marata's supporting role 'NIKKI'S THE REAL WARRIOR'
The league star pays tribute to his soulmate who lives with a painful condition
Stronger than ever WILLS & KATE'S ENDURING LOVE
Through all life's challenges, the royal soulmates are there for each other
Four kids and a party JESSE'S BRINGING THE FUN!
The TV host is dancing to his own beat when it comes to fatherhood and fame