Royal fans hit out at King Charles’ coronation quiche amid national egg shortage

Royal fans have hit out at the decision to make quiche King Charles’ signature Coronation dish – amid a national egg shortage.

Yesterday, it was revealed that the King – who is known to love anything with eggs and cheese – had chosen a Coronation Quiche to celebrate his reign.

Buckingham Palace revealed the recipe yesterday, with the dish appearing to take inspiration from the monarch’s love of gardening, featuring spinach, broad beans and tarragon.

But Britons up and down the country have mocked the choice, as one the plate’s key ingredient, eggs, is currently ‘the most difficult commodity to get hold of’.

One royal fan wrote on Twitter: ‘Isn’t one of the primary ingredients in quiche, eggs?’

Britons up and down the country were quick to point out on Twitter that they may struggle to find a key ingredient – eggs. One said: ‘Have they seen the supermarket shelves recently?’

Another joked: ‘Let them eat quiche! No eggs on the shelves.’

A third said: ‘What? I love quiche and this made me so happy. Only problem is the price of eggs but I suppose all food is pricey, so whatever.’ 

A fourth added: ‘The palace suggesting that we all make a quiche when eggs are the most difficult commodity to get hold of at the moment is just absolutely classic.’ 

For months now customers have been struggling to buy eggs at their local supermarkets, including Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Lidl, due to the shortage which has been spurred on by an outbreak of Avian Flu and soaring energy costs.

Egg farmers have also noted that rising costs of feed for chickens has also had an impact.

The King’s recipe requires two medium sized eggs, along with milk, double cream, and cheddar cheese – as well as a handful of vegetables.

A royal fan wrote in response to the recipe, ‘The supermarket I went to today had a sign up saying there’s a national egg shortage so great timing for a quiche recipe!’.

Another joked: ‘Can you lend us some eggs? Regards, the nation.’ 

Others, however, were more forgiving of the recipe. One said: ‘I think I might make a few of these for the big family coronation lunch we are having to celebrate coronation day’

Unveiled yesterday by Buckingham Palace, the dish also appears to have taken inspiration from the monarch’s love of gardening, and features spinach, broad beans and tarragon

The tart was developed in close conjunction with the King and Queen Consort by the Royal Chef Mark Flanagan, at Buckingham Palace

The recipe has been released so Brits can make the dish themselves

Others, however, were more forgiving of the recipe. One said: ‘I think I might make a few of these for the big family coronation lunch we are having to celebrate coronation day’.

Another added: ‘That sounds wonderful, I love quiche.’

The tart was developed by Royal Chef Mark Flanagan, who works at Buckingham Palace.

The top cook, who has been in charge of royal meals since 2002, was said to have worked closely with the King and Queen Consort to develop the dish. 

Queen Elizabeth had an Indian-inspired Coronation Chicken served at her banquet in 2023, and it is hoped the King’s quiche will be served up at the ‘Big Lunches’ held up and down the country over the Coronation weekend.

Quiche was chosen as it was considered a good ‘sharing dish’ that can be taken to street parties – and can be served hot or cold.

The traditional British dish also suits a wide variety of dietary requirements and preferences and is considered to be ‘not too complicated to make or require costly or hard-to-source ingredients’. 

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said: ‘We look forward to collaborating with chefs and amateur cooks for suggestions on that front. Above all, it’s delicious!’

Former Buckingham Palace chef Darren McGrady said the King’s choice came as no surprise because Charles loves any food containing eggs and cheese.

Mr McGrady, who worked for the late Queen for 15 years, said he had made quiche for Charles many times.

He wrote on Twitter: ‘It’s no surprise that the King Charles III has shared Coronation quiche to celebrate his Coronation.

‘His mother, The Queen loved chocolate, but The King loves anything with eggs and cheese.

‘Made this for him many times… especially with salmon he’d caught in the river Dee.’