Princess Diana’s Chef Reveals Her Most Overindulged Dish

Princess Diana, renowned for her commitment to healthy eating, eventually grew weary of one particular dish. Her former personal chef, Darren McGrady, revealed that she had to ask him to stop preparing salmon, a dish that had become a frequent staple during her time at Kensington Palace.

In a recent YouTube video, McGrady explained how her preference for salmon arose from requests made by charities and event hosts who wanted to create meals in her honour. “If she was going out for lunch, the charities would call the palace and say, ‘What does the Princess like? What are her favourite foods?’” he recalled. When asked about Diana’s current culinary preferences, he mentioned her fondness for salmon.

Despite this initial enthusiasm, Diana soon expressed her frustration. “I’m starving, please tell me it’s not salmon. What is it with salmon and you chefs? Everywhere I go these days, everyone’s serving salmon,” she reportedly told McGrady. Recognising the error of his ways, the chef adjusted the menu to include more variety. He humorously noted that he was partly responsible for her being inundated with poultry dishes as a result of his recommendations.

Diana’s commitment to nutritious eating remained strong, even as she distanced herself from the monotony of salmon dishes. Salmon, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and high in protein, continues to be celebrated as a superfood today. McGrady shared that Diana’s dietary habits influenced his cooking style, particularly after he transitioned from Queen Elizabeth II’s kitchens, where heavier dishes were the norm.

“She was into healthy eating, so we never had beef on the menu unless the boys were home,” McGrady said. “She never ate pork. Occasionally she’d have lamb when she was entertaining guests, but for the most part, it was chicken, fish, or vegetarian options.”

McGrady fondly recalled Diana’s lighthearted approach to balancing her diet with fitness, saying, “She would say, ‘You take care of all the fats and I’ll take care of all the carbs at the gym.’”

These insights into Diana’s life echo sentiments shared by her former private secretary, Patrick Jephson. He discussed the valuable life lessons she imparted to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, stating, “If they study Princess Diana’s life carefully—and I hope they often do—William, Harry, and their advisors will know that she left them many good examples to follow and also a few important warnings to heed.”

Royal biographer Andrew Morton has also reflected on Diana’s enduring legacy and her potential role as a mediator between her sons during their ongoing rift. “Diana always used to say she had two boys for a reason—the younger would be there to support the older in the lonely task as future King,” he commented.

The recollections of her culinary preferences and the lessons she left behind paint a vivid picture of a woman who balanced her royal duties with a grounded approach to life and family.