Prince William’s Favorite Childhood Food Drove His Nanny Crazy, Says Former Chef
Even royal nannies struggle with the same problem as everyone else: getting kids to choose vegetables over junk food. Prince William and Prince Harry were no exception.
Prince William and Prince Harry's childhood may have unfolded in the public eye, but their life behind the walls of Kensington Palace was often far more relatable than many royal watchers would imagine. From weekend traditions to favorite comfort foods, the young princes enjoyed a number of ordinary pleasures thanks to the efforts of their parents, the then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana. However, one favorite childhood treat reportedly sparked a recurring disagreement between the young princes and the person tasked with keeping their meals healthy.
According to a former palace insider, while Diana encouraged her sons to enjoy many of the same treats as other children their age, one particular favorite repeatedly put them at odds with their nanny. She even let her kids have junk food once in a while, and their McDonald's runs were famous back in the day. It was also shared how the boys were fond of American-style comfort food, and former royal chef Darren McGrady shared details of the same. But not everyone agreed with her parenting style.
During a recent YouTube video, McGrady revealed that William and Harry fell in love with barbecue-style food after visiting Sticky Fingers and would often request him to make them the "special treat." Determined to recreate the restaurant favorite at Kensington Palace, McGrady shared how he used to prepare the dish in the oven and paired it with corn on the cob and loaded potato skins. He demonstrated the entire process in the video, and while the meal quickly became a hit with the young royals, it was not universally approved within the household.
Recalling the reaction from the princes' nanny, McGrady shared, "Nanny, who was in charge of the boys in the nursery upstairs, she always used to battle with them." Laughing over the memory, he continued, She would say, 'I can't believe they're requesting all of that American nonsense, that American junk food. They should be having roast chicken and vegetables.' Well, the boys won."
The former royal chef went on to explain how he adapted the recipe to achieve a smoky barbecue flavor without filling the royal residence with cooking aromas. Meanwhile, Diana reportedly opted for a lighter meal when joining the boys for these evenings. He detailed, "Princess Diana, on the other hand, would choose a salad, and maybe some corn." Elaborating on Diana's preferences, he added that the Princess loved lobsters, but the boys did not enjoy them much.
"She would have me, her chef, prepare lobster thermidor at least once a week. And if William and Harry were home, then BBQ baby back ribs and corn, followed by banana flan or ice cream. Everyone happy," shared McGrady, detailing an unusual treat day at the Palace.
