Throughout her time as a member of the royal family, Princess Diana struggled with an eating disorder. It wasn’t until the couple went on their honeymoon that her new husband, Prince Charles, realized that Diana suffered from bulimia (via History Extra). According to Princess Diana, her battle with bulimia began shortly after the couple made plans to wed. “The bulimia started the week after we got engaged and would take nearly a decade to overcome,” she said in a recording that was used in a biography written by Andrew Morton titled “Diana: Her True Story” (via Vogue). “My husband put his hand on my waistline and said: ‘Oh, a bit chubby here, aren’t we?’ and that triggered off something in me,” she continued, implying that there were issues in the marriage very early on. At the height of her disorder, her waist measured just 23 inches.
Following her years-long battle with bulimia, Princess Diana maintained a healthy diet. She found joy in regular exercise and ate meals such as “an egg Suzette” and stuffed peppers (via Hello Magazine). On the evening of her death, she dined at L’Espadon, a restaurant inside of the Ritz Paris. The News International reports that her final meal was a rich and delicious spread of “Dover sole, vegetable tempura, and a mushroom and asparagus omelet.”
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, or know someone who is, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA’s Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).
