A Royal Approach to Nutrition: Simplicity and Discipline
Unlike the extravagant image often associated with royalty, Queen Elizabeth's diet was surprisingly simple and consistent throughout her life. Her former chef, Darren McGrady, has provided numerous insights into her preferences, painting a picture of a monarch who valued routine and fresh, quality ingredients sourced directly from the royal estates. Her nutritional choices, focused on lean proteins and a bounty of fruits and vegetables, were a testament to her disciplined nature and likely contributed to her robust health and impressive longevity.
The Queen's Daily Menu
A typical day of eating for Her Majesty followed a predictable and healthy pattern, starting with a classic British breakfast and ending with a light dinner.
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Breakfast: The day often began with a pot of Earl Grey tea, consumed with a splash of milk but no sugar. A bowl of Special K cereal, sometimes topped with fresh fruit, was a common first meal. For a special treat, she might indulge in scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, though she famously preferred brown eggs, believing them to taste better.
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Lunch: This was kept consistently light and carb-free when she dined alone. Favorites included grilled Dover sole with wilted spinach or grilled chicken with a fresh salad. The avoidance of heavy starches like potatoes, rice, and pasta during the day ensured she stayed alert and unburdened by a food coma.
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Afternoon Tea: A quintessentially British tradition, afternoon tea was a daily fixture. It typically featured an assortment of small sandwiches with the crusts removed, often filled with cucumber, smoked salmon, or egg mayonnaise. A lifelong favorite snack, the "jam pennies"—tiny, crustless strawberry jam sandwiches cut into circles—were also frequently on the menu.
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Dinner: Following the light lunch, dinner mirrored the same simplicity. Meals consisted of meat or fish served with vegetables. Venison and salmon from the royal estates at Balmoral were particular favorites.
The Royal Sweet Tooth: What was Queen Elizabeth's favorite thing to eat?
While the Queen's savory meals were models of restraint, her sweet tooth was well-documented. She had an unwavering love for chocolate, especially dark chocolate, and requested it often.
Her indisputable favorite was the chocolate biscuit cake. This no-bake dessert, made with dark chocolate and Rich Tea biscuits, was so beloved that it was served to her daily until it was completely finished. If she traveled between palaces, a senior chef would ensure any remaining cake was transported with her to be enjoyed later. This dessert was also famously chosen by Prince William as the groom's cake for his wedding.
Royal vs. Royal: A Comparison of Palates
Former royal chef Darren McGrady noted the contrasting dietary habits between the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip. The table below highlights their differing approaches to food:
| Feature | Queen Elizabeth II | Prince Philip |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Approach | Ate to live; disciplined and consistent. | Lived to eat; adventurous and experimental. |
| Cuisine Preference | Preferred traditional British and French food. | Enjoyed trying new dishes and ingredients. |
| Daily Meals | Simple, lean protein with vegetables, no starch. | Liked curries, often with garlic and spices. |
| Cooking Style | Generally hands-off, approving menus prepared by chefs. | A keen cook, particularly enjoying barbecues at Balmoral. |
| Favorite Foods | Chocolate biscuit cake, jam pennies, Dover sole. | Salmon coulibiac, steak, curries. |
The Royal Rules: Dietary Restrictions and Considerations
The Queen and the royal family adhered to specific food rules, not out of whim, but often for practical reasons related to public life and safety.
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No Garlic: Famously, garlic was banned from royal kitchen menus. This was confirmed by Queen Camilla, who noted that a royal couldn't risk having bad breath when meeting and greeting people. Strong onions were also a "no-no".
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No Shellfish: Shellfish was generally avoided, especially when traveling or on public duty, due to the higher risk of food poisoning.
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Seasonal Produce: The Queen was a stickler for seasonality. She would refuse strawberries in January, preferring to enjoy fresh produce from her own gardens only when it was ripe and in season.
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No Rare Meat: For safety and consistency, all meat served to the Queen was cooked well-done.
A Lifelong Lesson in Balanced Nutrition
Queen Elizabeth's long life and impressive vitality can, in part, be attributed to her sensible approach to nutrition. While she enjoyed her treats, she did so in moderation and balanced them with a healthy diet rich in lean protein, fresh produce, and antioxidants. The dark chocolate she loved, for example, is packed with antioxidants. Her diet was also rich in anti-inflammatory foods, such as the leafy greens she ate with her fish.
Her diet shows that a nutritious lifestyle isn't about deprivation but about making balanced, deliberate choices. Enjoying the foods you love in careful portion sizes, while prioritizing wholesome, fresh ingredients, is a sustainable path to wellness. Her simple menu offers a timeless lesson in mindful eating that can be applied by anyone, royalty or not.
For more insight into the Queen's culinary influence, you can read more here: How Queen Elizabeth Impacted What We Eat and Drink.
Conclusion
In summary, what was Queen Elizabeth's favorite thing to eat was not just a single dish, but a carefully curated and surprisingly simple collection of meals and snacks. From her daily Earl Grey and Special K to her steadfast love for chocolate biscuit cake, her diet reflected her personality: traditional, disciplined, and balanced. By favoring seasonal, local produce, and maintaining consistent, healthy eating patterns, she provided a quiet masterclass in lifelong nutrition and sensible indulgence.
