Princess Diana was known for her sense of style, compassion, and glamorous yet approachable demeanor. She was beloved by many around the world during her lifetime. Though she lived a life of royalty and privilege, she was still a normal woman who enjoyed simple pleasures like food. Many people wonder what her favorite dessert was to get a glimpse into the real person behind the princess title. Though Diana was health-conscious and watched her figure, she did have a sweet tooth and some decadent favorites when it came to ending a meal.
Diana’s Upbringing and Introduction to Desserts
As a member of the aristocratic Spencer family, Diana enjoyed a privileged upbringing with access to the finest desserts from a young age. The Spencer family employed top chefs who could make elaborate after-dinner confections for their meals. Diana grew up eating dessert creations like vacherin glacés, soufflés, French pastries, and traditional English trifles and puddings. Her exposure to such meals showed her the creativity and joy that desserts could bring to the dining experience.
As she got older, Diana developed more freedom to discover desserts that appealed to her personal tastes. In her teenage years, she may have snuck away with friends to sample casual fare like ice cream sodas, banana splits, and chocolate milkshakes, away from the formalities of aristocratic dining. Through travel and her worldliness as an adult, Diana had the chance to expand her palate further and experience global dessert influences. Her dessert horizons broadened, though she still retained a fondness for many classic English and French desserts from her childhood.
Diana’s Favorite Desserts
So what desserts did Princess Diana love the most? According to former royal chefs and close friends, a few sweet treats stand out as her favorites:
- Chocolate Biscuit Cake – This cake layered chocolate biscuits with a rich chocolate ganache filling. The Queen Mother reportedly first came up with the recipe, but Diana made it legendary. She loved the cake so much that she even incorporated it into her wedding menu in 1981. The decadent chocolatey flavors made it a permanent fixture in her life. It remains a regular dessert choice for the royal family today.
- Banoffee Pie – Banoffee pie features layers of buttery graham cracker crust, fresh sliced bananas, sweet toffee, and whipped cream. Diana reportedly loved the dessert for its refreshing flavors and variety of textures. Banana and toffee provide a sweet counterpoint that complements the crispy pie crust and pillowy cream.
- Creme Brulee – The classic French custard dessert flambeed with a crispy caramelized sugar topping was another favorite for Diana. She enjoyed the elegant presentation and the contrast of the silky custard against the hard caramel shell. Diana typically preferred the traditional vanilla creme brulee over more modern flavors.
- Pavlova – Named after the famous Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, this meringue-based dessert came from Australia and New Zealand but charmed Diana all the same. With its crispy meringue shell and luscious fruit and cream filling, it provided an airy, nuanced dessert experience for her to savor after countless royal banquets.
- Tiramisu – Though not British in origin, Princess Diana took to the Italian tiramisu dessert. She enjoyed the blend of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, rich mascarpone cheese, chocolate shavings, and brandy or Marsala wine. The dessert’s luxurious flavors and textures satisfied her cravings when she wanted something more decadent.
In addition to these favorites, Diana had a general appreciation for pastries, tarts, fruit desserts, and classic English trifle. She did not just eat desserts at the end of meals and was known to enjoy afternoon tea with scones and clotted cream as well. Though she monitored her nutrition closely, she allowed room for treats and never denied her cravings completely.
Diana’s Approach to Desserts and Indulgences
While Princess Diana appreciated desserts, she also maintained a healthy lifestyle. Here are some things that characterized her approach:
- Diana ensured she ate healthy, balanced meals so that dessert was seen as an occasional treat rather than an everyday habit.
- She watched her intake of heavy foods like red meat that could make her feel sluggish or tired. Diana leaned toward lighter, cleaner eating so that sugary or buttery desserts stood out more as a contrast.
- According to her personal chef, she did not overindulge and ate desserts in moderation, allowing herself to fully enjoy the experience.
- Chocolate was Diana’s biggest weakness, leading her to favor chocolate-based desserts that satisfied her cravings.
- Fresh fruit often featured prominently in her dessert choices, adding nourishing element. This included classics like Banoffee pie and newer inventions like fruit-topped cheesecake.
- Diana saw dessert as a chance to try new things and broaden her horizons. She never limited herself to just British staples.
- Presentation mattered. Beautiful plating and service elevated the dessert from a sugary treat into a moment of luxury.
By being selective and focusing on quality over quantity, Princess Diana could indulge her sweet tooth in moderation while staying healthy and fit.
How Dessert Fit into Diana’s Royal Menu Planning
As a senior royal, Princess Diana regularly hosted lavish banquets and formal dinners that required extensive menu planning. Dessert played an special role in these meals. Here are some things to note about how Diana approached dessert for her events:
- The dessert course served as a grand finale to wow guests after multiple earlier courses. She saw it as a memorable ending.
- Diana often planned menus in consultation with chefs and polled guests to ensure she included favorite desserts and classics.
- She preferred variety, often choosing 3-4 mini-desserts rather than one large option so guests could sample different items.
- Freshly baked bread with sweet butter was served with dessert to allow enjoying the last course at a leisurely pace.
- The dessert table was a place to showcase edible luxury, with gilded serving pieces, floral arrangements, fruits, and lavish presentations.
- While Diana loved chocolate, she knew not all guests preferred it, so made sure to vary offerings with citrus, fruit, and nut-based desserts.
- She took advantage of summer fruits and winter preserves to highlight what was seasonal.
- Comfort desserts like cakes, pies, and puddings featured more heavily in winter while lighter mousses and compotes were favored in summer.
Careful planning and attention to detail allowed Diana to make dessert the high point of any royal banquet. Her mix of casual favorites and formal classics ensured her events felt refined yet welcoming.
Diana’s Favorite Desserts Today
While Princess Diana tragically passed away in 1997, her memory lives on, including her iconic taste in desserts. Here are some ways her favorite desserts impact royal menus and eating habits now:
- Prince William and Prince Harry both have fond memories of their mother’s chocolate biscuit cake. William even served it as a groom’s cake at his wedding reception.
- Banana flan, a twist on Banoffee pie, has been served at the royal banquet for President Obama and other dignitaries. It offers a nod to Diana’s preferred flavors.
- Creme brulee remains a staple on dessert trolleys for royal events and afternoon teas.
- Fruit sorbets and seasonal berries featured at Wimbledon and Ascot continue Diana’s legacy of lighter, fruit-based dessert options.
- Chefs honor Diana through innovative desserts like a bombe glacée named after her.
- Both William and Harry had chocolate biscuit cake featured at their weddings as a tribute.
- Harry and Meghan selected a lemon elderflower cake with fresh buttercream to echo Diana’s preference for citrus accents.
The legacy of Diana’s favorite desserts lives on thanks to chefs keeping her memory alive and her sons sharing her sweet tooth. Each bite evokes the elegant yet compassionate princess the world still misses.
Conclusion
Princess Diana charmed the world with her grace, compassion, and approachable nature. Though she lived a royal life, she took joy in simple pleasures – like her favorite desserts. Diana loved chocolate biscuit cake, Banoffee pie, creme brulee, pavlova, and tiramisu. She indulged her cravings in moderation and planned menus featuring unique dessert variety. Years after her passing, Diana’s favorites still make regular appearances at royal events and family meals. Each sweet treat evokes memories of the beloved princess.