What do English Royals eat at Christmas? News from King Charles III

Tradiation, but only on the menu. For the Royal table of his second Christmas as sovereign, King Charles III has decided to organize a practical buffet. But no oysters or caviar. Following the example of Queen Elizabeth, the king ordered the usual turkey, complete with various roasts, sausage rolls and side vegetables from the royal estates. Finally, the Christmas Puddingthe raisin dessert prepared well in advance by the chefs, following a family recipe.

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King Charles III no longer forces the Royals to weigh themselves

Unlike his mother, who followed family traditions to the letter, some of which date back to the Victorian era, King Charles III will no longer follow an ancient ritual that many Royals have admitted they cannot tolerate. This year, for the first time, its guests will not be forced to weigh themselves upon arrival at Sandringham and then upon departure to reassure them that they ate well.

King Charles III’s Christmas will be much busier than usual

The most important change made by the sovereign concerns the number of guests: for the first time they are at Sandringham Camilla’s children and grandchildren were also invited. And after decades of ostracism by Prince Philip, who found her particularly unpleasant, Sarah Ferguson will also be welcome, who will accompany her ex Andrea and her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie with their respective children and husbands.

Charles and Camilla with the Royals at Sandringham, Christmas 2019 (Getty Images)

Christmas breakfast in separate rooms

The traditions begin already at Christmas Day morning. At breakfast, the Royals split up: the men go down to eat in a room, helping themselves to a first buffet with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, smoked herring, beans with tomato, mushrooms and toast with butter and jam; the women remain in their bedrooms, waiting for the maids to arrive with trays and lighter breakfasts, fruit and toast.

Christmas drinks, a tradition that King Charles III does not give up

After the usual visit to the church of St. Mary Magdalene for the religious function, all of Charles and Camilla’s guests, starting with William and Kate, will gather in the living room to Christmas drinks, another sacred custom of the Windsors. Waiters will serve a wide selection of white, red and champagne wines, as well as an array of cocktails created by the expert bartenders at the palace. On one condition: you drink, but without exaggerating.

The Royals at war over Brussels sprouts

The Windsors say they are quite divided on this vegetable which is never missing from English tables at Christmas. The elderly insist on accompanying the turkey with a side of boiled Brussels sprouts; the younger ones, included children would gladly do without it. But the Royal chefs receive precise instructions from the king: the turkey should be served as always, with roast potatoes, carrots and parsnips, mashed potatoes, sage stuffing, cranberry sauce and bread sauce, the bread sauce. In addition to the inevitable Brussels sprouts.

A Royal Christmas card featuring Charles and Camilla (GettyImages)

What will Harry and Meghan’s Christmas in Montecito be like?

Excluded from court, the Sussexes will celebrate in California but their Christmas lunch is not light years away from that of Sandringham. For them too, turkey and vegetables. Friends of the couple revealed that Harry, in particular, would have liked an invitation to Sandringhamdenied following the latest attacks on the Royals.

Harry will have to settle for a video call to allow little Archie and Lilibet to say goodbye to their grandfather Carlo. But only later the king’s televised speech, broadcast at three in the afternoon and which all the Royals are also called to attend. A Christmas tradition that, unlike many others, does not seem destined to change.

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