LQueen Elizabeth never used the word “diet”. Her chefs say that the sovereign did not like to deprive herself of what she liked at the table, even indulging in two desserts a day. Yet she managed to stay fit and rarely fell ill, reaching the ripe old age of 96. Her secret? She never exaggerated.
Queen Elizabeth, a good eater but in moderation
The simplicity of Elizabeth II’s dietary regime would, according to experts, be the basis of her longevity. The sovereign ate to live, and she did not live to eat. Her approach was rather practical, revealed Darren McGrady, Royal chef in the service of the monarch for many years. Elizabeth did not deprive herself of anything, not even wine and chocolate, gin and cream desserts, but always in mini portions.
Elisabetta’s daily menu
The Queen liked traditional British cuisine, with some French exceptions. His morning started with a cup of tea Earl Grey, without sugar but accompanied by a couple of biscuits. For breakfast, she alternated cereals and yoghurt, toast and orange marmalade, or scrambled eggs with salmon or kippers, sourced from the Scottish Balmoral estate.
At lunch he was served fish, preceded by his legendary cocktails based on gin and Dubonnet. And for dinner, a starter with Gleneagles pâté, based on salmon, trout and mackerel, followed by game, venison, steaks and vegetables grown on the Royal estates. Everything in limited portions and cooked simply, without too many seasonings.
Elizabeth at Sandringham with her Platinum Jubilee cake, February 2022 (Getty Images)
The queen’s passion for dessert, but in small doses
Elisabetta never gave up dessert after every meal – lunch and dinner. She who he had a weakness for dark chocolate, he limited himself to a couple of squares or a slice of cake accompanied by berries or peaches, his favorites. And another thing he didn’t give up? A glass of champagne, the best from the Buckingham Palace cellars. Proof that indulging in some indulgence is good for you, if in moderation.
Elizabeth ll chooses a mango in a market in the British Virgin Islands, October 1977 (Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth didn’t like changing the menu
Elizabeth did not like changes at the table: the menu always had to be the same, from week to week. He had them sent to his study every three days, and crossed out in red the dishes he did not want, instead suggesting in a footnote those he would have preferred or requested directly based on the guests welcomed at court. For example, when Prince William came to visit her, Elizabeth had her favorite chocolate dessert prepared.
Buckingham Palace chefs cooked at (the Queen’s) request
The kitchens of Buckingham Palace and all other Royal residences operated under Elizabeth’s precise instructions. Every now and then a chef would try to propose a new dish, but before preparing it he had to send a written note to the queen, who examined it carefully. If she liked the idea of her dish, and the ingredients convinced her, only then did she call the chef into her studio to discuss it. And if everything was fine, he approved the new dish with his authoritative signature.
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