DALLAS - The Royal wedding many across the world waited for took place Friday, with the newest superstar couple the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Prince William married college sweetheart Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey, and an estimated two billion people around the world watched the ceremony.
Among those watching was Darren McGrady, who served as Princess Diana's personal chef for years.
“This is when the princess found out I was dating Wendy, my wife,” read McGrady from a note written to him by Princess Diana. "It says, 'Good news, I'm out for dinner tonight so go courting.'"
McGrady became friends with the princess.
"This is when my daughter was born, August 22, 1996," he said reading from another note. "'Good luck on the safe arrival of your little lady, Diana.'”
McGrady safeguards the mementos from the princess from cuff links to pictures. Looking back, he said it was Diana’s wedding that changed his life.
“For the wedding of Princess Diana, I spent the night on The Mall to catch a glimpse of the royal wedding," he said. "It was there I decided I wanted to be a royal chef."
He made it happen and spent 15 years in the royal kitchen.
“I’ve cooked for over 100 kings, queens, presidents, five U.S. presidents,” McGrady said.
But, it's the small intimate moments he cherishes the most, especially with Prince William.
“He was eating ice cream from the tub in the window seal,and he said, 'Darren, when I grow up, I’m going to be a police motorcyclist,'" he said. "I said, 'I think they have other plans for you.' He was so normal in the upbringing that he just didn't realize he was going to be a king with a crown on his head."
When McGrady heard of his engagement, he sent Prince William his cookbook full of the prince's childhood recipes. A week later, Prince William chose his chocolate biscuit cake for his groom's cake.
McGrady even kept mementos from royal weddings around his house, including the wedding cake from Prince Andrew’s wedding 25 years ago.
But, all of that means nothing compared to the notes from his dear friend he misses so much.
"'I miss my father dreadfully. He was such a strong and positive force in our lives,'” McGrady read from another personal note from the princess.
Princess Diana was struggling with her father's passing. She felt a void in her life, much like Prince William missing his mom on his big day.
