The People’s Princess, The Princess of Hearts, Lady Di—all three are monikers gracefully sported by the former Princess of Wales, Lady Diana Spencer, who was and will remain an icon among the masses for her grace, style and humanitarianism. It's hard to think about the United Kingdom, and more specifically London, without thinking of Lady Diana’s cultural impact—and of course, Paddington Bear. Lady Diana’s influence has transcended time; with us being members of Generation Z, who never even shared time on earth with the late princess, we still take style inspiration from her and following her lead on advocacy for social change. Growing up as a country girl who moved to the big city (like so many young people do), Diana made London her home for over 20 years before her tragic death. And, with all eyes back on the royal family due to the huge surge of global intrigue in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, Diana’s life and legacy have been brought back into pop culture relevance. So, let’s take a step into Diana’s London and walk the cobblestone streets in “revenge dresses” and casually chic ensembles of our very own.

This article is inspired by pieces from Popsugar, County & Town House, and Diary of A Londoness.

DINE LIKE DIANA

L'Escargot Restaurant

A lifelong self-proclaimed lover of the arts, Diana spent a lot of time around the West End of London—the true theater capital of the city. So, it's not a surprise that L'Escargot in Soho, a popular scene among the theater crowd and other creative types, was one of her most frequented spots. According to Popsugar.com, actor Stephen Fry wrote in his book “More Fool For Me: A Memoir” that he had seen Diana at the establishment on her way to the first floor dining room. It has also been reported by many different sources that the restaurant was truly beloved by Diana, and has been dubbed “London’s oldest and most celebrated French restaurant.” With the restaurant featuring artworks by Picasso, Warhol and Miro and having both Judy Dench and Coco Chanel as clients, this upscale classic is perfect for a glitzy meal before a night out. Some popular menu items include lobster bisque, steak tartare and escargot with garlic butter.

MCDONALD’S

She’s just like us, for real. It has been reported that Diana broke expected protocol by taking young Prince William and Harry out for a weekly “maccas,” as the Brits affectionately call McDonald’s, so that the two could get the little toy that came with the Happy Meal. Weekly McDonald's was bonding time for the trio, as they would often get takeaway and have a movie night. So if you’re in London, head to your local Maccas and grab a Big Mac and fries, the favorite of the late Lady Di.

SHOP LIKE DIANA

Harrods, Knightsbridge

A store often associated with Princess Diana due to her relationship and passing with Harrods store owner’s son, Dodie Al-Fayed, Diana had been a loyal and regular customer of the luxury store even before the famed romance and tragedy. She was often allowed to shop privately before the store opened for the public and bought her famous engagement outfit there. At Harrods, there is a whole section dedicated to London souvenirs so for those of you studying abroad… run, don’t walk, to the iconic store to pick up some merch for your fam back in the states.

DO A NIGHT OUT LIKE DIANA

The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

Diana regularly attended performances at the Royal Opera House and was said to have a genuine love of ballet. She even shocked audiences when she surprised the then Prince of Wales with a birthday dance on the historical stage. Take in art as Diana once did and check out TodayTix to see if you can get a ticket for a lower price.

Stay tuned for more city specific content, and let us know if you do London Diana’s way @theedgemag.

Embracing Your Inner Diana Spencer