There is a reason why Princess Diana was called People’s Princess, and it had nothing to do with her Tiara, a perfect wave of the hand or her dresses. It was because she knew how to be human. She made mistakes and learnt from them and never shied away from accepting her flaws. But her biggest joy was sharing all the love she had in her heart.
She was happiest when she was with her kids. Despite Royals being stringent with showing affection even to their own kids, Diana was trying to enjoy every moment she spent with her sons to the fullest.
Diana was probably the only royal who had ever frequented McDonald’s. She was seen taking her young sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, to the famous fast-food chain. Behind Happy Meals’ charming anecdote of burgers and the clown lies a deeper story about Diana’s unique approach to motherhood and her desire to raise her children with a sense of normalcy.
Darren McGrady was Diana’s former royal chef. He revealed the secret that the McDonald’s trips weren’t about food; they were about toys. He recalls one day, he was preparing a traditional lunch for the boys at Kensington Palace when Princess Diana abruptly entered the kitchen. “She came and said, “Cancel lunch – I’m taking the boys to McDonald’s.”
princess diana and william at mcdonald’s.
it was common to find them in the line on saturday’s nights 🍔❤️ pic.twitter.com/J0E4PfXgkg— best of diana (@dianaofhearts) December 20, 2020
McGrady offered to make homemade burgers for the boys instead, but Princess Diana had a different reason. She then told McGrady that it was not about the burgers but about the toys instead, as reported by People. This was one of those acts that revealed a lot about Diana’s parenting philosophy.
Even though her sons were heirs to the British throne and were constantly being groomed for the crown life, she was determined to give them all the experiences that were outside the strict boundaries of royal life.
And if that meant letting them enjoy the little things: burgers, fries, and, yes, collectible toys like every other kid in the ’90s, then so be it.
To the world, she was Diana, Princess of Wales, but to her sons, she was simply mum. Meet the person behind the Princess in the new CNN Original Series #DianaCNN, premiering tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT pic.twitter.com/dpu8t7l7je
— CNN (@CNN) October 10, 2021
McDonald’s wasn’t the only “normal” venue she introduced to her sons. Diana even took her sons, William and Harry, to Sticky Fingers. It was a family-friendly restaurant owned by Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman. It was also Harry’s favourite place, especially for the barbecue ribs.
These public outings were rare for royal children at the time, and they made a strong statement. Diana was redefining what it meant to raise a royal.
Diana always worked hard to make sure that her kids would enjoy being at home. She deliberately wanted to create a contrast between palace life and everyday joys. These were most noticeable when the boys returned from boarding school.
Princess Diana’s public displays of affection toward her children set her apart from previous royal mothers. Discover how she shaped the next generation of royals in a new episode of the CNN Original Series #DianaCNN, Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT pic.twitter.com/pwMN8b6PO1
— CNN (@CNN) October 23, 2021
Diana made sure the royal chefs swapped her usual healthy meals for childhood comfort food. That meant no more stuff like capsicum or vegetarian food and more chicken nuggets, pizza, cottage pie, fries, and mac and cheese. She wanted them to feel at home, indulged, and understood.
McGrady even recalled William has a fondness for chocolate ice cream, with Häagen-Dazs being the top choice.
Princess Diana’s parenting legacy goes beyond Happy Meals and junk food. She was crafting a life for William and Harry that balanced the responsibilities of royalty with the fun and freedom of ordinary childhood. It’s no surprise that Prince Harry also recreates similar experiences for his own children, Archie and Lilibet.
Harry and Meghan have taken Archie and Lilibet to Disneyland and the sweet video they shot has reminded me of when Princess Diana took the boys to Thorpe Park in 1993 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ypoY7BbqHN
— Lorraine King (@lorrainemking) June 7, 2025
A recent family outing to Disneyland was a reminder of Princess Diana’s 1993 trip to Disney World with her boys. It is a sign that her values live on in the next generation.
Perhaps most importantly, Diana’s choices helped humanize the royal family. She showed that even the most privileged children need love, play, and the simple joys of childhood.
Her casual McDonald’s visits were more than just fun. They were a symbol of her desire to make William and Harry feel like kids. In doing so, she left behind a legacy of empathy, relatability, and maternal warmth that still resonates today.
