'It was nice for Princess Diana to have things a little more informal,' says former chef

A former royal chef has explained how it was nice for the late Princess Diana to “have things a little more informal” when at home at Kensington Palace.

In an exclusive interview with Yahoo UK, as part of ‘The Royal Story’ video series, Carolyn Robb discussed the more “informal” nature of the kitchen in Kensington Palace.

“It was nice for Diana to have things a little more informal,” says Robb, who worked for Prince Charles during his marriage to Princess Diana at Kensington Palace. She continued working for Charles after the couple’s separation.

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Robb says the Princess of Wales would ask her to leave food for her in the fridge rather than serve her a freshly cooked meal on occasion - usually when she was home alone.

The palace kitchen was always a “gathering place,” says Robb.

Royal expert Omid Scobie, who conducted the interview, says the Duchess of Cambridge is equally keen to ensure the kitchen is a welcoming space.

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“I remember having a conversation with the Duchess of Cambridge about how important it was the kitchen would be the heart of their home,” says Scobie in the interview.

“That sounds exactly what it was like when you were working at Kensington Palace, too.”

Robb agrees. “The kitchen was the gathering place - so everybody popped in and out,” she says.

“There were always other people in the kitchen, usually protection officers drinking cups of tea or chauffeurs but it had very much a family feel to it.

“And certainly there were occasions, particularly if Princess Diana was at home on her own in the evenings, she’d say: ‘just leave a plate of food in the fridge for me.’”