

Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to Marie Claire. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Kristen Stewart has been earning rave reviews for her portrayal of Princess Diana in the biopic Spencer. The actress learned a lot about the storied royal while filming the movie, but she also learned a lot about British people in general. Her main takeaway? Brits are obsessed with Kentucky Fried Chicken.
In a recent interview with The Daily Mirror, Stewart reflected on one of Spencer’s final scenes, which shows Diana leaving Sandringham and taking William and Harry to a British branch of KFC. “If you’ve spent any time in the UK, they are obsessed with that shit,” said Stewart. “I think more so than here they have a thing about KFC. I have a few [British] friends who have the resounding sound of, We need to go for a Zinger Burger.”
The finger lickin’ scene has made such an impact, that the real-life KFC released their own version of Diana’s iconic black sheep jumper—a black chicken jumper, aptly dubbed “The Spencer.” The poultry-patterned sweater was available to the first 100 people who visited KFC’s Leicester Square location and ordered a bargain bucket.
A post shared by KFC UK & Ireland (@kfc_uki)
A photo posted by on
“I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard about it,” said Stewart when asked about the jumper. “That’s really funny to me.”
All jokes aside, this now-infamous ending of Spencer is very much based in truth. When Marie Claire spoke with former royal chef Darren McGrady back in 2017, he revealed that Harry and William really loved fast food. “I remember the Princess came into the kitchen one day and said, ‘Cancel lunch for the boys I’m taking them out, we’re going to McDonald’s,” said McGrady. “The boys loved McDonald’s, and going out to pizza, and having potato skins—sort of the American foods. They were royal princes but had children’s palates.”
Former royal butler Paul Burrell corroborated this story in The Mirror, saying, “The three of them would nip to McDonald’s for a Big Mac and fries before coming back to watch Blind Date.”
While the image of Diana trying to give her sons a taste of normal life (and 11 herbs and spices) in Spencer definitely follows the stories of McGrady and Burrell, we’re not exactly sure why director Pablo Larrain chose to switch the venue from McDonald’s to KFC.
But we like to imagine it had something to do with an October 2020 image of Prince William gazing into the window of a KFC. The picture went viral after the chicken chain tweeted the photo along with the words, “His Royal Thighness.”
The British royals + KFC = the weirdest, punniest match ever made in heaven.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

Caitlin Morton is a freelance writer based in Kansas City, with more than eight years of experience covering travel, pop culture, and fashion. Her byline has appeared in Condé Nast Traveler, Vogue, Architectural Digest, AFAR, Real Simple, Thrillist, and many more publications.
-
Refill That Empty Makeup Bag with Ulta's Fall Haul Event
Up to 40 percent off your favorites, this weekend only.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dies at 90
The liberal icon was the longest-serving woman in the Senate, known for championing gun control as well as protecting the environment and reproductive rights.
By Tanya Benedicto Klich
-
Power Pick: The Sneaker That We're Wearing With All Our Fall ’Fits
It’s ultra comfortable.
By Anneliese Henderson
-
If Prince Harry Does Attend the Coronation, He Will Avoid Bowing to Queen Consort Camilla
Plans are being drawn up to avoid the potentially awkward moment.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Prince George and Prince Louis Are "Protective" of Mom Kate in Mother's Day Photos, Body Language Expert Says
They have such a sweet relationship.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Royal Family Would “Collapse” Without Catherine, Princess of Wales, As the “Future Rests on Her”
No pressure!
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Paris Hilton Calls Princess Diana Her Idol, Says She’s Rooting for Prince Harry
Hilton and Harry both released memoirs this year.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
The Next Royal Adjacent Wedding Is Coming Up—Soon
Let us (re)introduce you to the bride, Lady Amelia Spencer.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Catherine, Princess of Wales’ Daring Erdem Look from This Week Has a Deeper Backstory
A British fashion label apparently became a divisive element in her relationship with sister-in-law Meghan Markle.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Sarah Ferguson Says She and Princess Diana Were Once Arrested for Impersonating Police Officers, After Getting Kicked Out of a Club
Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
While the Royal Family Skipped Princess Lilibet’s Christening, Princess Diana’s Two Sisters Were There
Prince Harry did have family at the event, even though there were no royals.
By Rachel Burchfield