http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20021101_602.html Part of me wants to think the butler is actually innocent. A larger part of me wants to think the Queen is one classy lady and only did this to prevent a man's life from being ruined due to one instance of poor judgment after a lifetime of loyal service.
Excellent decision, IMHO. As far as I know, the butler has not attempted to profit from any of these items, which does help me believe that he is honest about his motives for removing the items. With the media circus that ensued after her death, it is very possible he was indeed "protecting her legacy," as he states. God bless the Queen, who, as you say, is absolutely one classy lady!!
Yes, me too... butler did it. But maybe he is innocent. Wouldn't be the first one to have faced charges they didn't commit. Maybe the first butler though.