Eating Like The Queen: What’s for The Queen’s Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner?

The Queen at the opening of the Co-Op Group's 14-storey commercial building in Manchester in 2013. Image from Wikimedia Commons

The Queen’s longevity is partly attributed to her healthy diet. "She's very disciplined like that,” said Darren McGrady, who used to work in The Queen’s kitchen. “She could have anything she wanted, but it is that discipline that keeps her so well and so healthy."

She eats to live rather than living to eat, adds McGrady, whose book Eating Royally details the food that the royals enjoy.

After waking up at around 8.30 am, a pot of freshly brewed Earl Grey (with milk but no sugar) is served to The Queen. The tea is poured into a bone china cup and she enjoys it with a few biscuits before breakfast.

“She usually takes a bath before having breakfast in her apartment alone, and it is usually Cornflakes or Special K cereal and fresh or dried fruit,” observes Victoria Howard. Over the breakfast table, The Queen would read the morning paper, Daily Telegraph and the Racing Post.

She used to spend breakfast with the Duke of Edinburgh. But since his retirement, Prince Philip has mostly spent his time at Sandringham and The Queen is left to dine alone. Food is served by a tail-coated footman in the private first-floor dining room, which overlooks the lush Palace garden. Cereal, yogurt and maple syrup are her breakfast staple, but she enjoys toast with light marmalade the most. Her Majesty’s work commences shortly and she would stop for lunch at 1 pm.

Lunch is a solo affair, but from time to time, a lady-in-waiting is invited. A company for lunch is never a bad idea, after all. Every two months, a casual lunch is hosted for a dozen or so guests. She would occasionally bid her big family to eat with her, too, her children and grandchildren coming over to join her.

Work resumes afterwards but The Queen takes a break for tea at 5pm, which is served with freshly baked plain or fruit scones. She returns to reading and signing official documents again until around 8 pm. On usual evenings where she does not have to go out for public engagements, The Queen would savor a meal of lamb, roast beef, mutton, grouse or salmon. She might ask for a Martini aperitif, but The Queen very rarely drinks wine with dinner. There would also be nights when she would ask for grilled or poached fish with some vegetables and salad, but no potatoes or starch. The Queen is not fond of carbs. After relaxing a bit while watching a comedy show, documentary or environmental program on TV, she would retire to bed at 10:30 PM.