'I worked for the Royal Family – the Duchess of York made staff fume over this request'

A former royal butler has revealed how Sarah Ferguson irritated Buckingham Palace staff when she refused to comply with one of their demands.

Paul Burrell, 67, who famously served Princess Diana for around a decade from 1987 to 1997, discusses the contrasts between Diana and Sarah in his latest publication, 'The Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana.'

Sarah has recently made headlines following claims she sent a grovelling letter of apology to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, allegedly describing him as a "supreme friend" following his prison release.

It has been claimed the Duchess of York contacted Epstein via email despite having vowed never to communicate with him again during a March 2011 interview.

Nevertheless, the Express reports the email was dispatched shortly afterwards in April, a correspondence in which she allegedly described Epstein as having "always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family", reports the Mirror.

The claims have rocked British society, coming years after Prince Andrew's downfall following his catastrophic Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis which led to the Duke of York withdrawing from public engagements.

Moreover, the accusations levelled at Sarah Ferguson have sparked renewed fascination with her conduct and ties to the Royal Family.

Former royal butler Paul Burrell revealed she once infuriated household staff by refusing to specify her meal preferences for a picnic.

He said: "When the men were out stalking, the ladies would meet them on the hills for a picnic lunch. A page would enquire in advance what people wanted to eat and compile a list.

"On one occasion, Fergie sent one member of staff into a rage having failed to comply with his request. In a voice heard by all the ladies assembled, including the Queen, he boomed: 'What does that red-haired mare want for lunch?'."

Paul concluded: "It was accepted with silence as if it was never said. No reprimand. The staff had formed their opinion based on gossip and her behaviour."

Drawing comparisons between Sarah and Diana, Paul noted that whilst some viewed the former as refreshing, many favoured the latter.

He explained: "Fergie was twenty-six and like a bouncy, uncontrollable red setter puppy. She was not as popular or as well received downstairs as Diana had been.

"Fergie may have been a breath of fresh air for the Royals but the staff preferred the gentleness of the established Princess of Wales whom they had known for almost five years.

"Fergie was a newcomer and she had to earn the trust of the staff. She was far too familiar for her own good, but the staff could be snobs at times."

Representatives for Sarah Ferguson have declined to comment.