The aide Diana trusted

Simon Solari was one of Princess Diana's most trusted members of staff. As her chauffeur he gave her unswerving loyalty: her former police bodyguard Ken Wharfe recalls how on occasion Diana would call him "my rock", just as she did with Paul Burrell.

When he finally quit - asking to be transferred to the Prince of Wales - she broke down in tears and had to stop beside the Serpentine in Hyde Park to compose herself before going on to a public engagement in the West End.

Mr Solari had genuine concerns about his career - he was worried he had too little to do and feared for his long-term employment - but given the number of staff the Princess had already lost, and the fact that he was going to work for Charles, effectively the opposition, it was a move that seemed almost calculated to wound the Princess when she was at her most vulnerable.

A pleasant, easy-going former serviceman, Mr Solari, 40, first worked for the royal family on board the Royal Yacht Britannia.

He served there for five and a half years from 1983 before moving on to work at Kensington Palace.

Later he transferred to St James's Palace to work for the Prince of Wales, where he soon became a valuable member of staff.

He was popular with other members of staff too, and used to spend every autumn sailing in the Mediterranean with Mr Wharfe and his fellow royal protection officers Colin Trimming and Alan Peters.

It was around this time that he left his first wife Linda and their children and set up home with Lyn Howley, who was an assistant to Prince Charles's equerry. They married in 2001 in Las Vegas.

After transferring to Charles, Mr Solari was promoted to the position of valet.

But internal staff relations in Charles's household were notoriously tricky.

The place was riven with infighting and Mr Solari was one of many who disliked Michael Fawcett, accusing him of being overbearing and a bully.

In 1998, along with Ms Howley and valet Clive Allen, he decided to resign: when the Prince asked them why, all three gave the same reason - Fawcett.

Charles felt obliged to sack his personal assistant. But he found the whole process too upsetting, and Camilla Parker Bowles talked him round into keeping Fawcett on after all - even promoting him. But the others still left.

Mr Solari now runs his own chauffer business. His clients have included the former editor of The Sun, David Yelland.