Queen ElizabethGetty: Images
Queen Elizabeth just couldn't resist this food, however unhealthy it may well be.
Editor's note: Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-serving monarch passed away on Sept 8, 2022, aged 96. Now, BHT takes a look back at some of the most popular stories which arose during her 70-year reign.
A Royal chef who spent several years cooking for Her Majesty and the rest of the Royal Family once shed some light on the eating habits of Queen Elizabeth - and one of them may surprise you!
Darren O'Grady was Queen Elizabeth II's personal chef for 15 years, and also served Prince Harry, Princess Diana, and Prince William over the course of his time at Buckingham Palace.
In an interview, O'Grady revealed that Queen Elizabeth would typically avoid fast food at all costs, and if she did end up with a hankering for some greasy grub, she would have the Royal chefs cook it up instead of going to a fast-food establishment.
O'Grady spoke about how Queen Elizabeth was never a fan of McDonald's or KFC but did in fact have a hankering for one kind of fast food in particular.
The food? Hamburgers.
Yes, Her Majesty was similar to the majority of the population in the sense that she loved a hamburger just as much as the next person.
She did, however, have some rather peculiar preferences when it comes to how her burger is made. O'Grady explained how Queen Elizabeth preferred her burgers without a bun. O'Grady said 'It always tickled me at Balmoral, we would make our own burgers, They would shoot deer, and we would do venison burgers. There’d be gorgeous cranberry and everything stuffed into them, but we never set buns out.'
O'Grady has often spoken out about the eating habits of the Royal Family and explains that much of what was cooked at Buckingham Palace was traditional French cuisine. He claims that in all of his time working at the Palace, not once was pizza served!
O'Grady even caused somewhat of a media furore after he let it slip just how much Queen Elizabeth enjoys the occasional gin and tonic.
FAQs
O'Grady spoke about how Queen Elizabeth was never a fan of McDonald's or KFC but did in fact have a hankering for one kind of fast food in particular. The food? Hamburgers. Yes, Her Majesty was similar to the majority of the population in the sense that she loved a hamburger just as much as the next person.
What fast food restaurant does Queen Elizabeth own? ›
While some may be aware of her rules, followers of the royals may not know that Queen Elizabeth II technically owned a McDonald's. While it may be fun to imagine the queen liking the golden arches enough to request her own McDonald's, her ownership of the store wasn't so forthright.
Did Queen Elizabeth like fish and chips? ›
Reports said that when Queen Elizabeth would stay at her Scottish home Balmoral she would order a classic British staple: fish and chips from a local chippy. The Mirror reported that she would choose “one of the roughly £10 dishes from nearby town Ballater” each time she placed an order.
What was the Queen's favorite meal? ›
Queen Elizabeth adhered to a daily teatime meal; her preference for delicate sandwiches with the crusts cut off was well-publicized. Her favorite version was reported to be smoked salmon with cream cheese. If the old adage is true, one should eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dine like a pauper.
What food does Queen Elizabeth eat every day? ›
Typically, she “eats very small portions” of grilled fish, chicken, vegetables, salad, and fresh fruit throughout the day — she's 90, she must be doing something right — but she saves room for dessert.
Has the Queen ever had a Big Mac? ›
As for if she has ever had one, certainly not publicly, she may have had one behind closed doors of the palace, it wouldnt be a total stretch to see the Queen enjoying a burger, especially whilst at the traditional BBQs at Balmoral cooked by Philip.
Did Queen Elizabeth go to restaurants? ›
That said, a 70-year reign — the longest of any female head of state, and the longest of any British monarch — is an expansive thing, and it follows that she did see some of the same places that her public did. It's said that the Queen enjoyed going out, in part because of the simple novelty of ordering.
What kind of sandwich did Queen Elizabeth eat? ›
Cucumber sandwiches are loved for their refreshing flavour and were a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II for this very reason. But to make them fit for a royal, the Buckingham Palace staff add an extra ingredient into the mix.
Did Queen Elizabeth eat cheese? ›
Cheese in the royal household was a delicacy and stored in boxes with holes in, kept locked to prevent unauthorised nibbling. Queen Elizabeth would have undoubtedly followed in her father's footsteps and had hard cheeses imported from Italy.
What is the Queen's favorite sandwich? ›
Also toping Her Majesty's sandwich favourites list is good old-fashioned tuna mayo. Owen Hodgson, another ex-royal chef, previously told The Telegraph that the monarch preferred her tuna sandwich lathered in butter, stuffed with thin cucumber slices and a dash of pepper.
The Queen sleeps 8.5 hours each night. She goes to bed at the same time each night (11 p.m.). The article notes that experts recommend going to bed at the same time, as it trains your body to feel sleepy as you approach that hour. She eats light, protein-filled meals at regular times.
What was Princess Diana's favorite food? ›
According to Chef Darren McGrady, vegetarian stuffed peppers were one of Princess Diana's favorite meals, which she would eat 2-3 times a week. McGrady would stuff red bell peppers full of nutritious vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms, along with rice, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
What do queens eat for lunch? ›
Lunch. Lunch is something simple, like grilled fish or chicken with vegetables. The Queen does not eat starches on an ordinary day at home, so there's never pasta, rice, or potatoes. The Queen has a glass of Champagne with lunch, another with dinner, and a third at the end of the evening.
Who was the Queen's favorite son? ›
"To repeat a phrase that has long echoed around royal palaces and newspapers, Andrew is the queen's favorite son. ' When his royal and military career entered its dizzying tailspin, the monarch wanted to be seen to be protecting him," Simon Usborne wrote in Town & Country's April 2022 issue.
What cereal did the Queen eat? ›
It is a stated fact that Queen Elizabeth likes a bowl of Kellogg's cornflakes for her breakfast.
What business did Queen Elizabeth own? ›
Other than the Queen's Privy Purse, Elizabeth II also owned the Balmoral and Sandringham Estates, which were passed down to her from her father.
What is the Queen's favorite fast food? ›
O'Grady spoke about how Queen Elizabeth was never a fan of McDonald's or KFC but did in fact have a hankering for one kind of fast food in particular. The food? Hamburgers. Yes, Her Majesty was similar to the majority of the population in the sense that she loved a hamburger just as much as the next person.
Did the Queen cook her own meals? ›
The Queen herself does not cook, but she has a team of chefs who prepare her meals. However, her husband, Prince Philip, was known to enjoy cooking, and he would often grill or make simple meals in the kitchen.
Where did the Queen buy her food? ›
Waitrose now holds a Royal Warrant as Grocer and Wine & Spirit Merchants to Her Majesty the Queen. Waitrose is known for its commitment to its environmental and producing food in a sustainable way.