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For decades after Princess Diana’s tragic passing, many in her inner circle held grudges against the firm for her treatment. From her former bodyguard to her friends, many felt (and still feel) great loyalty toward the late Princess. However, one of Diana’s personal confidantes is ready to turn a new life: her former chef Darren McGrady.
On April 13, he tweeted, “I’ve been ‘Team Diana’ since she called the palace and asked me to become her chef after the separation. And even when she told me ‘I will never be Queen Darren’ I didn’t want to believe. But it’s time to move on! And I will be celebrating King Charles III and Queen Camilla.”
You can see the tweet HERE.
Along with that, McGrady is planning an event the day of: an event composed of a Degustation dinner, an afternoon tea party, and a class. He posted the news to Instagram, saying, “The Coronation of The King and The Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, 6 May 2023. Join us for an unforgettable weekend of royal celebrations and catch the live screening of His Majesty the King’s Coronation at The Elizabeth Suite to commemorate this momentous occasion!”
He added, “You will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Chef Darren McGrady, The Royal Chef, who will showcase his exceptional culinary skills through a Cooking Demonstration, a Degustation Dinner and an Afternoon Tea Party. This is a dining experience fit for royalty, so don’t miss out! Find out more about the coronation weekend at the Club.”
You can see the post HERE.
Now, as we said, McGrady is facing a heap of backlash. Under his tweet, many royal fans have called his loyalty to Diana into question, saying things like: “It is sad to think that you would betray the memory of Princess Diana, by venerating Charles and the woman that was committing adultery with her husband. Me thinks that you were never “team Diana,” just an opportunist.” Other Twitter users added comments like, “You really can’t be ‘team Diana‘ while backing the Consort. But you’re just playing the long game I guess” and “Cashing in again, Darren? Trying hard to keep yourself relevant.”
For those that don’t know, McGrady is now a culinary consultant, author, and speaker. Previously, he worked with Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princes William and Harry, and even five US Presidents, per his website.
What was Darren McGrady’s Relationship Like With Princess Diana?
McGrady has spoken highly about Diana in the past, saying how she was more like an “old friend” rather than a royal. In a previous interview with Insider, he claimed she would offer to make him coffee, saying, “If the Queen came into the kitchen, you stood to attention out of respect. But when Princess Diana came in the kitchen she’d say, ‘I need a coffee. I’ll make it. I’ll make you one.'”
He added that she would even ask him about dating, recalling, “She would say, ‘So what’s happening at home? Have you got a girl? Are there any girlfriends on the scene?'”
Their relationship was so close that it was actually featured in the film Spencer.
Why is it Team Camila VS Team Diana?
For those who don’t know the story, it’s a messy one. Summed up: Charles cheated on Diana throughout their relationship and marriage to Camila. At one point, Diana even confronted Camila, allegedly saying, “I know what’s going on between you and Charles and I just want you to know that.” Camilla responded with, “You’ve got everything you ever wanted. You’ve got all the men in the world fall in love with you and you’ve got two beautiful children, what more do you want?”
Diana said: “I want my husband.”
Because of this, royal fans then have picked sides.
‘Diana: A Closely Guarded Secret’ by Ken Wharfe
For years, Inspector Ken Wharfe was one of Princess Diana’s closest confidants. The late Princess of Wales’ former bodyguard offers an intimate account of the famous royal’s life in Diana: A Closely Guarded Secret. The memoir offers new insight into what we thought we knew about Princess Diana, with unfiltered anecdotes and reflections on her life through Wharfe’s eyes.
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