Ever wondered what the Royal Family eats on Christmas Day?
The Royal embodiment of "go big or go home"...
For the British monarchy, the Christmas holiday is perhaps one of the most important engagements of the entire year.
Though the Christmas Day lunch was once a lavish affair for the Royals - complete with a feast of roasted geese and turkey, carved beef, a whole stuffed wild boar's head, a foie-gras terrine, mince pies, a giant plum pudding, and over two dozen bottles of brandy - in recent years, the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family prefer a more simple and low-key affair, set at their Sandringham Estate.
Rather than a roasted or glazed ham, the Royals prefer a traditional roasted turkey (or several), as the centrepiece on the Christmas table.
As a complement to the roasted turkey, a salad of shrimp or lobster is served. This is along with different stuffings of sage, chestnut, and onion, and sides of mash potatoes, roasted potatoes, carrots, Brussel sprouts, and parsnips.
Roasted Turkey - with Carrots & Brussel Sprouts
The main course is followed by a dessert of Christmas pudding, which is prepared in a large pudding basin. This is then inverted, splashed with brandy, decorated with holly, and served aflame in the royal dining room, by the palace steward.
Christmas Plum Pudding - with Raisins & Brandy Butter
Not long after lunch, Christmas afternoon tea is enjoyed by the family. The rather lavish menu features a chocolate Yule log, scones, mince pies, a selection of sandwiches, and of course, a Christmas cake. The Christmas cake is a traditional fruit cake - with candied fruit, marzipan, and royal icing.
For the final meal of the day, and arguably the most elaborate, the Royal Family enjoys an evening cold buffet for their Christmas dinner.
The most memorable features of the spread include a whole foie-gras en croute, a whole Stilton cheese poured with port, and a large decorated York ham. This also includes dessert servings of mince pies, brandy butter, and vanilla ice-cream.
Now that's a Christmas feast fit for royalty.
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Comments (7)
Where do the left-overs go after it’s picked over by the royals?
Great question Michael - I'll have to read more on that and get back to you.
I have read that Prince Philip is quite a good cook .
It sounds like a proper British Xmas menu, that would be familiar to most .
Nice story, thanks for posting.
Glad you enjoyed reading this - thanks John!
You’re welcome .
Great article and pictures, particularly roasted duck! I bet you it will all start with a round of Single Malt, follow by foie gras with Château d'Yquem, then the main course with great Burgundies and Clarets and finish with Château d'Yquem for pudding, not to mention brandy and cigars (?). No, not cigars, nowadays. Be nice to get invited!
Sounds about right! Thanks Albert!