Princess Diana’s Diet Revealed: Royal Chef
Former Royal Chef Darren McGrady cooked for Princess Diana for four years until her death in August 1997. He discussed how her “life was back on track” after a battle with bulimia. McGrady revealed Diana was in the best shape of her life in her later years, as a healthy diet plan grew in importance to the princess.
Princess Diana’s health journey
Former Royal Chef Darren McGrady cooked for Princess Diana, Prince William, and Prince Harry from 1993 through 1997. He prepared daily meals for the Princess of Wales and her sons, as well as formal luncheons and other menus requested by the royal family.
McGrady shared details of his tenure as Diana’s chef in a YouTube video. He watched as the princess battled bulimia and was present when Diana changed her diet and worked to overcome the eating disorder.
“I was there in Buckingham Palace, rattling pans in the kitchen when her food requests were all over the place,” McGrady explained. “I was also there at Kensington Palace when she confronted and conquered the bulimia.”
“Her life was back on track. She was healthy eating,” the chef continued. “When I joined Princess Diana’s small team at Kensington Palace not long after the separation [from Prince Charles], she was patron of 119 different charities. [Diana was] working out at the gym three days a week and just looking the best she ever did.”
Subsequently, Princess Diana made a conscious effort to modify her diet and lifestyle. These changes included adopting a healthy eating plan, and enlisting McGrady to prepare satisfying foods in that vein.
What type of foods were in Princess Diana’s diet?
Upon changing her diet and taking control of her health, former Royal Chef Darren McGrady revealed Princess Diana had some strict but flexible rules. McGrady shared details of Diana’s healthy eating habits.
“She told me, ‘Darren, you take care of the fats, and I’ll take care of the carbs at the gym,'” McGrady explained. The princess would often eat in the kitchen, speaking to the staff while she ate meals.
“[Diana] would have a tray lunch, and chatting about anything and everything. A light lunch for her was a salad and a stuffed bell pepper. Also a big bowl of lychees, she loved lychees.”
However, when Diana’s sons Prince William and Prince Harry were home from school, menus were modified to satisfy the princess’ healthful eating plan and also be tasty for her young sons. This posed a challenge to McGrady, who wanted everyone to feel satisfied.
“When the boys were home, lunch was just her, William, and Harry. All the food was placed on the sideboard, and they would get up and help themselves,” the former royal chef shared.
“That was a challenge as I had to prepare the favorites of William and Harry, but it also had to be healthy, something for the princess. Otherwise, the boys would say, ‘I’m not eating it if you’re not eating it.'”
What was one of Diana’s favorite meals with sons William and Harry?
Princess Diana enjoyed mealtimes with Prince William and Prince Harry. They reportedly ate together when the princes were at home from boarding school.
Not surprisingly, William and Harry loved what former Royal Chef Darren McGrady called “nursery food.” He revealed. “Chicken was probably the most popular thing served at the palace when William and Harry were home from school. They loved roast chicken.”
However, to respect Diana’s dietary habits, McGrady had to cleverly make one meal that looked the same for the family but also had modifications for the late princess. “William and Harry never knew they were eating differently than their mother,” the chef explained.
“However, for the princess, all that skin and fat [on roast chicken]’; that was no good for her. And [the boys] loved roasted potatoes, but not good for the princess too.”
While Diana ate the same roasted chicken as her sons, her piece was prepared without the skin. Also, instead of the oven-fried potatoes her sons favored, McGrady made Diana a different type of potato recipe, which included tossing boiled potato wedges in egg whites, seasoned with salt and paprika, and roasted in the oven in a separate pan from her sons’ meal, until tender and crispy.
“She was healthy-eating, and the boys were happy. Also added to the menu were carrots and a dozen peas; they were the boys’ favorites,” the royal chef explained.
“And the dreaded broccoli. Nanny always insisted they eat their greens. So there was broccoli and cabbage on the menu.”
After eating their meal, there was always room for dessert. McGrady was unclear whether Diana joined her sons in a sweet treat. “Once they had all that, [William and Harry] could have their pudding—usually banana flan.”
Chef Darren McGrady was working at the palace for the family when he learned of Princess Diana’s death. The Princess of Wales was killed in a car accident in Paris, France, at 36.
How to get help: In the U.S. call the National Eating Disorders Association helpline at 1-800-931-2237.
