Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she attends a dinner at the Corinthia Palace Hotel in Attard in November 27, 2015.Getty
Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at the incredible age of 96, and it is fair to wonder what kind of food did she eat to maintain her health.
But just what did Queen Elizabeth eat on a day-to-day basis? Well, according to Darren McGrady, a former chef in the Royal kitchens, the Queen stuck to the same foods most days.
This may come as a surprise to many, but the Queen was clearly a creature of habit.
Tea first
As most people know, Queen Elizabeth was impartial to Earl Gray's tea. Her favorite brand of tea was apparently Twinnings, a well-known English company that supplies tea around the world.
McGrady didn't reveal whether or not Queen Elizabeth enjoyed a fresh cup of coffee in the morning.
Breakfast
Queen Elizabeth prefered to keep it simple when it came to breakfast. A bowl of Special K with some assorted fruits was apparently her go-to meal to get the day started the right way. On special occasions, she allegedly treated herself to some scrambled eggs and smoked salmon if she felt like it!
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Scrambled egg with smoked salmon
Lunch
It is worth noting that the Queen was particularly fond of a gin and Dubonnet co*cktail before she tucked into her lunch.
Following this, it is reported that Queen Elizabeth enjoyed some grilled fish or chicken, and tended to stay away from starch for her meal at lunch. It's clearly the simple things that Queen Elizabeth preferred when it came to food!
For fish, the Queen loved some Dover Sole with wilted spinach or courgettes. As regards chicken - grilled with a salad.
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Queen Elizabeth II lunches with Prince Philip and their children Princess Anne and Prince Charles at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, circa 1969. A camera (left) is set up to film for Richard Cawston's BBC documentary 'Royal Family', which followed the Royal Family over a period of a year and was broadcast on 21st June 1969. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Dinner
Queen Elizabeth would have enjoyed some chocolate biscuit cake for her afternoon tea before tucking into dinner. Queen Elizabeth's love of chocolate cake was certainly well documented!
Dinner followed the same formula as lunch. Simple cooked meat and vegetables lead the way, with space for pheasant or venison should the Queen wish. Of course, Queen Elizabeth loved a Sunday roast just as much as anyone else.
Along with chocolate, the Queen enjoyed some strawberries or peaches for dessert.
And to finish, Queen Elizabeth would wash the food down with a glass of the best champagne money can buy. The good life!
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Queen Elizabeth II at The Queen's Dinner during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at Buckingham Palace on April 19, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
* Originally published in Oct 2019.
FAQs
The Queen ate a balanced diet including chocolate and gin
What was Queen Elizabeth's favorite food? ›
Queen Elizabeth adhered to a daily teatime meal; her preference for delicate sandwiches with the crusts cut off was well-publicized. Her favorite version was reported to be smoked salmon with cream cheese. If the old adage is true, one should eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dine like a pauper.
Did the Queen eat the same thing every day? ›
Well, according to Darren McGrady, a former chef in the Royal kitchens, the Queen stuck to the same foods most days. This may come as a surprise to many, but the Queen was clearly a creature of habit.
What time does Queen go to bed? ›
The Queen sleeps 8.5 hours each night. She goes to bed at the same time each night (11 p.m.). The article notes that experts recommend going to bed at the same time, as it trains your body to feel sleepy as you approach that hour. She eats light, protein-filled meals at regular times.
Can royals eat pizza? ›
It may seem odd to picture members of the royal family eating pizza, but beneath their crowns, the famous Brits are just like us and enjoy a few slices from time to time.
What does Kate Middleton eat? ›
When it comes to her midday meal Kate loves salads and bowls of fruit. She also tries to eat foods which help her skin, including lots of watermelon salads, gazpacho, goji berries, tabbouleh and ceviche. A source said: "Kate already has the perfect figure but her motivation is to achieve radiant skin."
What food do the royals avoid? ›
Two very common items usually found in our kitchens - onions and garlic - are mostly avoided by members of the Royal Family. Former Royal chef John Higgins once revealed: "At Buckingham Palace, you don't cook with garlic. I suppose, in case you get the royal burp."
Does Queen Elizabeth eat potatoes? ›
Despite this carbohydrate-heavy start to the day, Queen Elizabeth eschews starches like potatoes. For lunch, the Queen often dines on a light meal of grilled fish over a bed of spinach.
Does the royal family eat leftovers? ›
Just like us, the Royals use their leftovers in meals. According to Robb, Prince Charles is very particular about saving leftovers, and believes that nothing should be wasted. As an example, if there was roast lamb left over from a meal one night, the next evening meal might be something like shepherd's pie.
What food does Queen Elizabeth eat every day? ›
Typically, she “eats very small portions” of grilled fish, chicken, vegetables, salad, and fresh fruit throughout the day — she's 90, she must be doing something right — but she saves room for dessert.
It's just a jam sandwich — bread, a bit of butter, and jam, cut into small circles (or similar shapes) for serving. These simple treats were a lifetime favorite of the queen's, with Chef McGrady stating that she enjoyed one every single day since she was five years old.
What was Princess Diana's favourite food? ›
Lady Di, as she was also known, was very health conscious and in keeping with this life choice, her favorite meal — according to the royal chef who cooked for her for four years — was an oddly normal offering: stuffed bell peppers.
What is the queens favorite candy? ›
The monarch is said to be fond of a classic British dark mint chocolate, usually eaten after dinner, that anyone can buy from a local supermarket. The Bendicks Bittermints were seen in the back of an engagement photo. The Queen also likes sweet offerings from the famous chocolatier Charbonnel et Walker.
