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The Royal Family’s Christmas celebrations may have taken a hit with the latest problems with Covid, but you can probably rest assured there will be some top class food available.
The Queen will be staying at Windsor Castle this year, as she spends her first Christmas without her husband Prince Phillip in more than 70 years.
In normal times, she’d be spending the big day in Sandringham, but has decided not to travel this year.
READ MORE: Royal tradition axed following Queen’s cancellation of Christmas celebrations
That’s not to say there won’t be a celebration, as Christmas is a busy day for the monarch and her family.
A trip to church is likely, and, of course, there’s the small matter of The Queen’s Speech in the afternoon.
According to former Royal chef Darren McGrady, the food operation on the day is a major one.
In 2017, he told the Daily Mail: “On Christmas Day, the ladies generally opt for a light breakfast of sliced fruit, half a grapefruit, toast and coffee delivered to their rooms.”
He said the men have a bigger breakfasts, featuring eggs, bacon, mushrooms, grilled kidneys and kippers.
In another interview with Good Housekeeping, he said turkey is the choice of roast in the royal household.
However, this year’s traditional lunch has been cancelled.
He said: “After church, that’s when they have a big lunch that includes a salad with shrimp or lobster, and a roasted turkey, and all of your traditional side dishes like parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert.
“They stick with the same meal year after year.”
He also revealed the Queen’s corgis also have individual meals.
Once the Queen’s speech is done, there’s another meal in the evening.
This time it’s a buffet, with a buffet dinner with 15-20 different items. It’s always a buffet with the chefs at the table carving.”
The chef’s role also includes being invited into the dining room to carve the meat.
Once that has been done, the Queen gives him a glass of whiskey and they have a toast.
Darren also says Her Majesty “always has a chocolate treat on Christmas”.
Before the feasting, the Royal family members would normally lay each other’s presents on trestle tables and exchange gifts at tea-time on Christmas Day.
The Queen also continues a tradition started by her father King George VI and grandfather George V, by handing out Christmas puddings to her 1,500 staff, which includes a card.
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