August 31st 2024.
Abdul's cafe opened its doors in 1989, nestled between a Chinese medicine center and an estate agent, directly across from the wrought iron gates of Kensington Palace. It was called Café Diana, a tribute to the late Princess who frequented the establishment with her young sons, William and Harry. The owner, Abdul, had initially considered calling it Abdul's Cafe, but upon spotting Diana walking out of the palace gates, he was inspired to name it after her.
Soon, Diana and her sons became regular patrons at Café Diana, and the walls were adorned with framed photos, articles, and mementos of the beloved Princess. It was clear that she had a special place in Abdul's heart, and she had a way of making everyone feel at ease. During one of her visits, she curiously asked Abdul why he had chosen to name the cafe after her. He replied that he had a fondness for her and her hard work. Diana blushed and humbly asked if he served pita bread, revealing that her children loved it.
Abdul then invited Diana to bring her sons to the cafe, and from that point on, a routine was established. Every morning, Diana would wave to Abdul as she left the palace to take her boys to school. And on one occasion, Prince Harry was even caught sneaking into the cafe with his nanny, proudly exclaiming that he had been to "Diana's." Abdul recalls this moment with a smile, remembering how he had given Harry some treats to bring back to his brother, who had enjoyed them the day before.
Diana's Cafe had become a frequent spot for the young princes, and they were often seen walking around Kensington with their mother. In fact, William even stopped his car in the middle of the street one day just to call out to Abdul and order an Orangina, a drink he had tried and loved at the cafe. It was clear that Diana and her sons had formed a special bond with Abdul and his staff, and they watched the boys grow up over the years.
Sadly, on the 27th anniversary of Diana's death, the Agency visited Café Diana to speak with Abdul about the princess and her visits to the cafe. Despite her passing, her memory lives on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved her. And for Abdul, his cafe will forever be a tribute to the "People's Princess," a beloved neighbor who captured his heart and inspired the name of his establishment.
Abdul's cafe first opened its doors in 1989, nestled between a Chinese medicine center and an estate agent, and directly across from the grand Kensington Palace. The cafe, named Café Diana, was the brainchild of owner Abdul, who had no idea of the famous neighbor he would come to know in the years to come.
Initially, Abdul had considered naming the cafe after himself, but one fateful day, he spotted Princess Diana walking out of the palace gates with her young sons, William and Harry. Instantly struck by her grace and beauty, Abdul decided to name the cafe after her.
As the years went by, Café Diana became a haven for fans and admirers of the late "People's Princess", with pictures and articles of her adorning the walls. The Agency recently sat down with Abdul to talk about the princess, who had been a frequent visitor to the cafe during her lifetime. In fact, the interview took place on the 27th anniversary of her untimely death.
Abdul reminisces about the early days of the café, admitting that he hadn't realized he was located across from the home of Princess Diana and her children. But fate intervened and brought them together. He recalls, with a laugh, the moment he saw Diana walk out of the palace and decided to name the cafe after her.
Their first encounter was when Diana and her sons waved at Abdul as they left the palace each morning. Eventually, they became friends and Diana even made a surprise visit to the café one day. Abdul still remembers the excitement and electricity in the air that day.
As they chatted, Diana asked Abdul about the name of the cafe, teasing him by asking if it was named after a girlfriend or wife. He replied that he was simply a fan of her and her work. Diana blushed and then asked about the food served at the café. When Abdul mentioned that they served pita bread, Diana revealed that her children loved it.
Abdul then extended an invitation for Diana to bring her children to the café, which she graciously accepted. From that point on, they developed a routine of waving to each other each morning as Diana left the palace to take her sons to school.
Abdul and his staff also had the pleasure of watching the young princes grow up, as they were frequent visitors to the café. Abdul fondly remembers an encounter with Prince Harry, when he came with his nanny and was thrilled to tell his brother, William, that he had been to "Diana's". Abdul even gave him a bag of treats to take home to William.
The next day, William came to the café without his mother and stopped his car to call out to Abdul, showing that he remembered and appreciated the kind gesture. It is these heartwarming moments that Abdul treasures and remembers fondly as he continues to run Café Diana as a tribute to the beloved princess.
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