Princess Diana's former head chef, Darren McGrady, has revealed that the late royal enjoyed overnight oats for breakfast almost every day, long before the dish became a global trend. McGrady shared that Diana discovered the meal at a Swiss health clinic in the form of bircher muesli, invented by a nutritionist. She brought the recipe back to Kensington Palace and requested it daily.
Overnight oats are prepared by soaking oats in milk or water overnight, creating a creamy texture without cooking. The dish gained popularity in the early 2010s and has resurfaced on TikTok as a quick, healthy breakfast. Registered nutritionist Charlotte Faure Green notes that oats are rich in beta-glucan fibre, antioxidants, and minerals like magnesium and iron, but warns that a carb-heavy breakfast may not suit everyone.
For hot breakfasts, Diana preferred baked beans, often leaving handwritten notes for McGrady. She balanced this with half a pink grapefruit, black coffee, and fresh orange juice. Lunch was typically roasted stuffed bell peppers, her favourite, filled with mushrooms, zucchini, garlic, rice, and tomatoes, topped with mozzarella and Parmesan. Dinner focused on lean proteins like poached chicken or grilled Dover sole, paired with steamed vegetables or soft-boiled potatoes tossed in egg whites and paprika.
