Burrell denies affair with Princess Diana
LONDON, June 16 (UPI) -- Former British royal butler Paul Burrell is denying reports he claimed he had an affair with the late Princess Diana.
Ron Cosgrove, the brother of Burrell's wife, said Burrell claimed that having sex with the princess was part of his "royal duties." Cosgrove also was quoted by the News of the World as saying Burrell told him he once saw Queen Elizabeth II naked.
Burrell insisted to the Daily Star newspaper, however, that there is "not one shred of truth pertaining to my service with the princess, or Her Majesty the Queen."
"Myself and my wife Maria feel tremendously sad and hurt that he has resorted to such vengeance," Burrell said. "Anyone who knows me, who knew the princess and understands the boundaries and decencies of royal service, as well as the integrity and trust which exist within our working relationship at Kensington Palace, will know just how fanciful, distasteful and malicious these claims truly are."
"I am mortified and hugely embarrassed at the claims attributed to my brother Ron. I disassociate myself with everything that he is reported to have said," Maria Burrell told the Star. "It is, perhaps no coincidence that these claims have surfaced just three weeks after he asked, via a voicemail, for money."
'Heights' wins Tony for best musical
NEW YORK, June 16 (UPI) -- "In the Heights" was named best musical at the 62nd annual Tony Awards show in New York Sunday.
"South Pacific" won the Tony for best revival of a musical, while its star Paulo Szot picked up the award for lead actor in a musical.
Patti LuPone earned the prize for lead actress in a musical for her work in the revival of "Gypsy."
"Thank you so much," LuPone said as she collected her second Tony award. She previously won in 1980 for her portrayal of the title character in "Evita."
"It is such a wonderful gift to be an actor who makes her living on the Broadway stage and then every 30 years or so pick up one of these," she said, referring to her Tony statuette.
Earlier in the evening, LuPone's co-stars Laura Benanti and Boyd Gaines won the awards for featured actress and actor in a musical.
'August' wins best play Tony
NEW YORK, June 16 (UPI) -- "August: Osage County" won the prize for best play at the 62nd annual Tony Awards show in New York Sunday.
"Writing is better than acting," said playwright Tracy Letts upon taking the stage to receive his Tony. "You get to use your words. You don't have to be there eight times a week and I can guarantee this moment beats the hell out of auditioning for (the TV show) 'Jag.'"
Deanna Dunagan picked up the Tony for lead actress in a play for her work in "August: Osage County." The drama marked her Broadway debut.
"This is so overwhelming," Dunagan said as she accepted her award. "This whole year has been entirely unexpected and astonishing."
Mark Rylance won the prize for lead actor in a play for his performance in the comedy, "Boeing-Boeing." The play marked his first Broadway performance, as well.
'Potter' heroine is new face of Chanel
LONDON, June 16 (UPI) -- Emma Watson, the U.K. actress who plays Hermione in the "Harry Potter" blockbusters, reportedly is to be the new face of Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle fragrance.
The Mirror reported the 18-year-old actress has signed with the French fashion house a two-year contract worth $6 million.
Keira Knightley's contract with Coco Mademoiselle ends this summer.
"Emma has been excitedly telling friends that she is going to be taking over from Keira," a source told The Mirror.
Knightley has starred in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy, as well as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Atonement."
