As the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II’s daily routine and activities have long been a source of fascination and speculation. Mealtimes, in particular, offer a glimpse into the orderly precision with which the royal household operates. So what exactly happens once the Queen finishes a meal? Let’s take a closer look at the procedures and protocols that unfold.
The Table Setting
The Queen takes most of her meals in the dining room at Buckingham Palace. The table is set with the finest china, crystal, and silverware from the Royal Collection. Linen napkins, embroidered with the royal cipher are laid in the Queen’s lap. A plate, bowl, knife, fork, dessert spoon and fork, water, and wine glasses are precisely placed to the Queen’s left. Seasonal flowers from the palace garden serve as the table’s centerpiece. Candles and the Queen’s mirrored tray, used to examine the bottom of plates and food, complete the formal place setting.
The Dining Companions
The Queen is often joined at mealtimes by her husband, Prince Philip, though he has taken most meals separately since retiring from public duties in 2017. Other dining companions include visiting heads of state, extended family members, and senior members of the royal household. Dinner is typically when the Queen relaxes and enjoys the company of friends, family, and close aides. No one begins eating or drinking until the Queen takes the first bite or sip.
The Meal Timeframe
The Queen’s meals are served precisely on time. Breakfast is served between 8:30 – 9:00 am, lunch between 1:00 – 1:30 pm, and dinner between 8:30 – 9:00 pm. Meals usually last about 45 minutes. An unwavering schedule allows the Queen’s days to proceed as planned. At state banquets and formal occasions, meals often last well over an hour.
Royal Etiquette
The Queen maintains meticulous table manners and dining etiquette. She uses proper cutlery arrangement, keeps elbows off the table, and dabs her lips with her napkin after sipping or before speaking. Food is not wasted. The Queen takes small, graceful bites and often finishes everything on her plate. Conversation touches on topics of national and global significance. Controversial subject matter is avoided during meals.
The After-Dinner Routine
Once the Queen finishes her final bite, she places her knife and fork closely together on her plate to signal she has completed the meal. Her personal dresser discreetly notes the time the meal ended. Everything else happens briskly and according to protocol:
Clearing the Table
A footman immediately removes the Queen’s plate, cutlery, and glassware. Other staff swiftly clear the remaining items from the table. Every crumb, drop, or trace of food is wiped clean. Plates, glassware, and utensils are washed and polished after each use.
Exiting the Dining Room
The Queen neatly folds her napkin and places it beside her plate as footmen pull out her chair. Accompanied by her ladies-in-waiting, she immediately proceeds to the next scheduled event or engagement on her calendar for the day. No time is wasted loitering in the dining room for conversation.
Recording the Meal
The royal kitchen keeps a journal documenting everything the Queen eats and drinks at each meal. Meals are also photographed for the records. This ensures the chefs can prepare dishes exactly to the Queen’s liking, or recreate meals in the future.
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers from the Queen’s plate are kept aside. The food is covered and refrigerated in case the Queen requests that particular dish again. All leftovers are consumed after 24 hours due to food safety policies. Nothing goes to waste.
Planning the Next Meal
Soon after a meal ends, preparation begins for the next. The chefs consult their orders and plan the dishes, culinary techniques, ingredients, and kitchen staff required. Table linens are selected and ironed. China, glasses, and serving pieces are washed and readied. Flowers are arranged and menus finalized.
Afternoon Tea Customs
The Queen also takes afternoon tea daily between 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Tea is served with scones, pastries, sandwiches, and cakes on a three-tiered silver stand. Jam first, then clotted cream is the proper order for spreading on scones. The Queen uses her right pinky finger to stir tea and raises her teacup with both hands. She does not use milk or sugar. Etiquette rules everything at teatime. When the Queen places her teacup back on its saucer, tea is over.
State Banquet Traditions
The ultimate royal dining experience is a State Banquet. Held at Buckingham Palace to welcome visiting heads of state, these formal dinners overflow with pomp and ceremony. Up to 150 guests feast on finely prepared dishes made from the finest British ingredients and wines from the Palace cellar. Priceless silver and tableware from the Royal Collection decorate the scene. The Queen, other members of the royal family, and the visiting dignitary preside over the head table.
Banquet Timeline
| 6:00 pm | Guests start to arrive |
| 7:00 pm | The Queen and visiting head of state enter |
| 7:15 pm | Banquet service begins |
| 8:15 pm | Dessert is served |
| 10:00 pm | The Queen signals end of banquet |
Banquet Menu Sample
| Smoked Salmon | Quail Eggs | Asparagus Spears |
| Saddle of Lamb | Herb Stuffing | Fondant Potatoes |
| Chocolate Cake | Exotic Fruit Compote | Petit Fours |
At the conclusion, distinguished guests retire to the Blue Drawing Room for coffee and liqueurs. But the pomp resumes when the Queen bids guests goodnight before retiring herself.
Off-Site Dining Customs
When dining at other royal residences like Sandringham House or Balmoral Castle, the Queen enjoys more relaxed country meals, though protocol still dominates. Outdoor lunches are sometimes held on the grounds when weather permits. For breakfast at Balmoral, the Queen follows a self-service buffet style. She mixes with other guests, serves herself, and even clears her own plate afterwards.
Private Family Meals
Behind closed palace doors, the Queen’s private family meals are less formal. These occur during weekends and holidays when the family is staying at one of the royal residences. A typical family barbecuelunch at Balmoral includes beef, venison, salmon, cheeses, breads, salads, and desserts prepared on the estate. The dress code is smart casual. Drinks flow freely and mealtime chats are lively. But make no mistake, decorum remains, even during causal family gatherings.
The Royal Chef’s Key Duties
Overseeing all cuisine for the royal household is the incredible responsibility of the Master Chef. Here are some key duties:
Menu Planning
Plans well-balanced seasonal menus for the Queen and royal family. Dishes highlight the finest British produce.
Managing Kitchens
Manages the main kitchens and traveling kitchens on royal trains, planes, and automobiles.
Inventory & Procurement
Orders food and oversees inventory for all residences. Ensures pantries and refrigerators are well-stocked at all times.
Culinary Mastery
Possesses expert skills in French, English, and other cuisines. Able to adapt dishes to the Queen’s preferences.
Quality Control
Rigorously tastes dishes to ensure highest quality and safety standards are met.
Team Leadership
Leads, trains, and oversees the entire kitchen brigade. Consults with visiting chefs.
Life in the Royal Kitchens
Feeding the royal family is a massive daily enterprise requiring extensive planning, manpower, and logistics. The palace kitchens buzz with round-the-clock preparation under pressurized conditions. Here’s a glimpse behind the scenes:
– Up to 31 kitchen staff work full time including chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs, butlers, cooks, porters, and assistants.
– The kitchen uses over 8000 pieces of china and 18,000 glasses.
– There are special cold storage rooms, wine cellars, dry good pantries, bakehouses, stove ranges, and food lifts.
– Culinary specialists are brought in for cuisines like halal, kosher, Asian, or vegan.
– Technology aids meal planning, inventory, scheduling, food safety, and allergen controls.
– Supplies are sourced from trusted British farmers, fisheries, cheesemongers, and heritage breeders.
– Menus change daily and reflect seasonal availability of produce, meats, and cheeses.
– Up to 600 eggs a week and 15 kilos Indian spices are used.
– Prep work starts as early as 5 am while clean-up lasts until midnight.
Traveling with the Queen
When the Queen travels within the UK or abroad, qualified chefs accompany her. All food preparation and dining equipment is transported in customized vehicles and aircraft. Here are some fascinating facts about how the royals eat while on tour:
– The Queen’s car always carries a cooler box with blood type-matched packed meals.
– A royal train kitchen can serve up to 32 sit-down meals at a time.
– Chefs board ahead of the royal plane to prepare inflight meals.
– Overseas tours require importing or sourcing food locally that meets safety standards.
– Potter containers keep curries and stews piping hot for hours.
– Sous vide cooking helps reheat vacuum-sealed dishes.
– A royal helicopter carries an electric cool box and hamper with china and cutlery.
– Chefs stay up till 3 am preparing food at foreign residences.
– Special aluminum steam containers keep food hot at outdoor events.
Queen Elizabeth II’s Signature Dishes
While the Queen eats to live, rather than living to eat, she does enjoy certain British dishes. Here are some favorites often found on Her Majesty’s menu:
Gleneagles Pâté
A smooth chicken liver paté laced with whiskey and herbs. Served as a starter or canapé.
Beef Wellington
Tender fillet steak topped with pâté, mushroom duxelle, and wrapped in puff pastry. Often served at royal birthday dinners.
Spicy Curried Chicken
A creamy, mildly spiced chicken curry with nuts and sultanas. A staple on the royal menu.
Poached Scottish Salmon
Fresh from the River Dee, the salmon is gently poached with lemon and parsley.
Warm Chocolate Fondant
An indulgent lava cake with oozing chocolate center, served with ice cream.
Garden Strawberries and Cream
Sweet English strawberries soaked in sugar, and doused in thick double cream.
Dining Etiquette Fit For a Queen
While you may not dine like royalty, observing proper table manners displays class and respect. Follow the Queen’s lead with these etiquette tips:
– Wait to start eating until all are served.
– Use the outermost cutlery first when courses are served.
– Cut food one bite at a time. Don’t cut everything up at once.
– Bring food to your mouth rather than leaning down towards the plate.
– Chew with your mouth closed. Don’t speak with food in your mouth.
– Dab your mouth with a napkin before drinking and when meal ends.
– Place fork and knife closely together at 4 o’clock when finished.
– Push your chair back from the table and excuse yourself neatly at meal’s end.
Conclusion
Royal dining is stately, proper and precise. Customs and tradition govern every facet, from the table settings to the attire to the protocols for concluding the meal. Etiquette and decorum matter above all else. While such formality is not realistic for everyday family meals, observing basic manners and punctuality will make any shared dining experience more dignified and respectful. When in doubt, remember the Queen’s famous self-discipline and poise at the table. Implementing even a touch of royal-caliber style and politesse can only elevate your next dinner.