When I first heard about Princess Diana’s oats, I was intrigued—but skeptical. Orange juice in oatmeal? It sounded…interesting. Not off-putting, just unexpected. But then I watched the chef who originally made it for her whip it up, and I have to admit: He made it look really good. The texture was creamy, the ingredients simple, and suddenly I couldn’t wait to try it for myself.
About Princess Diana’s favorite breakfast
Former royal chef Darren McGrady shared his recipe he made for Princess Diana every morning in a YouTube video. “She was now eating healthy, and her go-to breakfast was something called overnight oats,” he says.
As soon as I saw the grated apple, my mind went straight to muesli—and for good reason. McGrady explains that this recipe is actually based on Bircher muesli—a classic Swiss dish that’s essentially the original overnight oats, long before overnight oats were a thing. Princess Diana first tried it at a Swiss health clinic and loved it so much she brought the idea home. “She stole the recipe, came back, and said Darren I want these for breakfast every day,”he says.
I loved that connection, and the addition of yogurt felt smart too—it brings a little protein boost without resorting to powders or anything overly processed.
How to make Princess Di’s overnight oats
Jill Sollazzo
As with many overnight oats recipes, you’ll start by steeping the oats in some sort of liquid and refrigerating for at least eight hours. Many recipes today feature milk or an alternative milk, but Princess Diana’s version uses freshly squeezed orange juice as the main liquid. “I’m adding freshly squeezed orange juice to my oats,” McGrady says. It’s a small twist that makes a big difference.
Here’s the recipe I tried, based off of what Princess Di’s chef demonstrated in the video:
How Princess Di’s overnight oats taste
One bite in, and I was pleasantly surprised by how balanced it is. The orange juice adds a subtle citrus brightness that pairs perfectly with the tangy yogurt and the natural sweetness of the apple, blueberries, and honey. It’s fresh, creamy, and somehow nostalgic all at once.
I’d absolutely make it again—and probably will. Princess Diana was clearly ahead of her time, because this recipe hits all the marks of what we love in breakfasts today: wholesome, simple, and surprisingly satisfying. The ‘90s might be back, but this one never should’ve gone out of style.
