Princess Diana’s former chef, Darren McGrady, has shared intimate details about the meals he prepared for her and her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Speaking on his YouTube channel, McGrady explained that when the boys were home, he adjusted the menu to be more “nursery-friendly” so they would enjoy it.
One lunch stands out in his memory: he served sole florentine for Diana and spaghetti bolognese for Harry. If a friend joined them, Diana sometimes changed the menu completely, opting for more elegant fare like tomato mousse, lobster thermidor, and pear flan.
Surprisingly, the Princess also skipped palace lunches for McDonald’s trips with William and Harry. McGrady recalled her telling him, “Cancel lunch today. I’m taking them out.” When he offered to make burgers, she replied, “I know that, Darren, but they want the toys and the Happy Meal.”
From Healthy Meals to Comfort Food
McGrady worked for Diana from 1993 until her death in 1997, and he noticed a clear shift in her diet after her separation from Prince Charles. Alone, she preferred healthy dishes like stuffed peppers, aubergine, and vegetarian meals. When the boys visited, the kitchen filled with cottage pie, pizza, chicken nuggets, French fries, potato wedges, and macaroni cheese.
William had a particular sweet tooth, often asking for Häagen-Dazs chocolate chip ice cream and eating it while sitting on the kitchen windowsill. McGrady described the atmosphere at Kensington Palace as “so much more relaxed.”
The Breakfast Diana Ate Every Day
The chef also revealed her daily breakfast: “Princess Diana’s Overnight Oats.” She discovered the recipe in Switzerland and asked McGrady to make it every morning. The dish reflected her healthy lifestyle at the time, as she balanced a busy schedule with regular gym sessions.
“She said, ‘Darren, you take care of all the fats, and I’ll take care of the carbs at the gym,’” he recalled. McGrady enjoyed the oats so much that he doubled the recipe so he could have a serving too.