Princess Diana's former butler will commentate on the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Paul Burrell - who was once described by the late British royal as her "rock" - believes his intimate knowledge of royal protocol made him the ideal choice to provide detailed coverage for US network Fox when the couple marry in London next April.

He said: "You have got to know the way the royals work, their protocol, their traditions. Next year coincides with Prince Philip's 90th birthday and Diana would have been 50 on July 1 so it's an appropriate time."

Paul worked for the royal household family as a footman for Queen Elizabeth II before becoming butler to Diana and is no stranger to royal weddings, even serving Diana and Prince Charles their first meal as man and wife after they married at London's St Paul's Cathedral in 1981.

He added to the Chester Chronicle newspaper: "I looked after the wedding party when they came back for the reception. I was with the top table - the queen, Prince Philip and the bride and groom. I served them their wedding breakfast.

"I remember that day so well. It's etched on my memory. It was so magical and it was a fairytale."

Paul left the employ of the royal family at the time of Diana's death in a car accident in 1997.

He was banned from her funeral amid allegations he was trying to "cash in" on the princess' death by selling memorabilia and releasing a tell-all book, 'A Royal Duty'.

William and Kate will tie the knot at London's Westminster Abbey on April 29th 2011, which has been declared a public holiday in the UK.