Likewise, Princess Diana was famous for her empathy, approachability and humanitarianism. Equally creative in the home, her original style with food reflected her playful spirit and family-centric nature. Her passion for comfort food developed mostly out of family dinners with her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Diana really loved these moments of an “un-fussy” lunch vibe. She wanted to provide a loving home life for her kids that would make them emotionally important to her.
Though deeply devoted to family, Princess Diana was known to be regimented when it came to her diet, and that came with its own obstacles. White not only hired personal chef Darren McGrady, but challenged him to change what he cooked so that it aligned with her health-conscious agenda. He recalled her instructions to “take care of all the fats,” while she assured him, “I will take care of all the carbs at the gym.” This collaboration showcased her dedication to clean eating, with no red meat and more focus on lighter meals.
Darren worked for four years as the personal chef to Princess Diana before her tragic death in 1997. Prior to that, he was an executive chef cooking for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace for 11 years. His experience gave him the ability to fuse those royal culinary traditions with Diana’s wishes for healthier food choices. She had a special quirk—she liked to have dessert for breakfast. She centered her work on this practice three decades before it became trendy.
Whenever William and Harry came back home, Princess Diana enjoyed treating them. She always made it a point to take them out to eat their favorite comfort foods – hamburgers, pizza, spaghetti and meatballs. This massive indulgence was in stark contrast to her normal dietary rigidity. It underscored her commitment to helping families build connections through eating together.
Though Princess Diana’s battle with bulimia was kept largely secret to protect the royal family, Darren was well aware. Her culinary preferences were pretty opposite from the Queen’s, the latter of whom loved lacy sauces and heavy creams. This divergence only amplified Diana’s commitment to continuing a healthy, active lifestyle, all while remaining a dedicated, loving, present mother.
Since then, Darren has written the books *Eating Royally* and *The Royal Chef at Home*. Through these papers, he gives us incredible glimpses into the culinary exploration of the late princess and her growing family. His years spent cooking for Princess Diana showed him just how much she loved her comfort foods. In the process, it identified the contradictions in her relationship with food, forged by a drive for perfection and family devotion.
