British royal family
Chef finds her Christmas dinner “boring”
King Charles and his wife spend their first Christmas after their coronation at Sandringham as usual. But there is one change: Camilla’s children and grandchildren are also invited for the first time.
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No caviar and truffles: At Christmas dinner, the British royals dare to celebrate King Charles III. apparently reluctant to experiment.
They have cooks and servants and could have the most exquisite dishes prepared for them. But the Royal Family seems to love Christmas tradition and, like many other Brits, eat the same thing every year. A former cook at court described this King Charles III’s Christmas dinner (75), Prince William (41) and Co. even described it as “boring”.
The royals love turkey with vegetable side dishes
While many people in Germany rely on sausages with potato salad or the more elaborate roast goose, in Great Britain turkey is often served at Christmas. This is also the case with the country’s most famous family, who spend Christmas in Sandringham. Darren McGrady (61) has now revealed this in “OK! Magazine”.
He was the personal chef for high-ranking royals for 15 years, and from 1993 to 1997 he looked after Princess Diana (1961-1997) and her sons William and Harry (39). He revealed that the festival of love wasn’t particularly exciting from a culinary point of view: “It was the same food every year. When it comes to celebrations, they’re actually boring. There was no ham or anything, just traditional turkeys.”
He continued: “We prepared three turkeys for the Queen and her family in the royal dining room, one for the children and then more for the 100 or so staff so everyone had a Christmas meal.” The royals loved various side dishes with the traditional turkey, such as mashed potatoes, fried potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots and roasted parsnips. Cranberry sauce and a chestnut or sage and onion filling are also in demand.
At least, according to McGrady, the royals treat themselves to dessert after this “boring” main course. This consists of a Christmas pudding doused with brandy, which is brought hot and “flaming” into the dining room. The Queen also opted for tried and tested drinks: a classic Gin Dubonnet cocktail and a glass of Gewürztraminer.
Charles’ Christmas speech is also watched
The main Christmas day in Great Britain is December 25th. At 11 a.m. local time, the royal family traditionally attends the service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, after which members gather for lunch, which must be completed by 3 p.m. local time.
Because then BBC One is switched on – and the royals, like many other Brits, watch King Charles’ Christmas speech. It is his second Christmas speech as king after the premiere last year. The ten-minute message, which usually looks back on the most important events of the year, is pre-recorded.