A former royal staff member has revealed the late Queen’s favourite breakfast, which she first tried as a child with Princess Margaret and learnt to cook herself
The late Queen had a favourite breakfast of choice – but it’s not for everyone.
Over the course of her 70-year reign the monarch dined on some of the finest foods but she had simple tastes when it came to the first meal of the day. She was such a fan, that she learnt to make it for herself. The Queen’s former servant, Charles Oliver, revealed all in his book ‘Dinner at Buckingham Palace ‘ which is based on his diaries and personal recollections.
An extract from the book revealed HRH had “been partial to kippers since the war years” and that when she and Princess Margaret were exploring different areas of Windsor Castle, they came across a “compelling aroma”. Oliver wrote: “Fascinated, they traced the smell to its source and found themselves outside the private kitchen of Mrs Alice Bruce, then housekeeper at the castle. They politely knocked on the door and were welcomed into the old-fashion kitchen with its great iron oven range – and it’s frying kippers. Mrs Bruce gave the princesses their first taste of kipper, and showed them how to cook the fish as well.”
The author went on: “Kippers, in a number of uncomplicated variations, have remained a favourite with the Queen ever since – for breakfast, as a savoury or a late-night supper.” It’s not the only unusual royal breakfast habit. As the hardest working family member, Princess Anne relies on a good breakfast to fuel her day – but her choice of food first thing is not for the faint-hearted.
The late Queen ‘s daughter is said to enjoy healthy, vitamin-dense foods over rich and decadent dishes, meaning there are no Full English breakfasts in sight. Instead, palace staff have said she likes to start her day with a bowl of fruit, although it does come with a strange request. It’s been widely claimed that Anne prefers her bananas to be overripe and even going mouldy.
Darren McGrady, a former chef to the royals, previously told TODAY: “Princess Anne almost always preferred the bananas almost black – over ripe – because they digested easier.” Royals traditionally always eat with cutlery, meaning Anne needs her prepared in a specific way. Darren continued: “First, the ends of the banana are cut off. Then the banana peel is sliced down the middle from end to end so the unpeeled fruit can be opened.The fruit is sliced into circles and eaten with a fork.”
King Charles, meanwhile, enjoys a healthy start to the day. Speaking before the death of the Queen, royal chef Graham Newbould revealed: “Prince Charles has a healthier option. He’d have homemade bread, a bowl of fresh fruit, fresh fruit juices. Wherever the Prince goes in the world, the breakfast box goes with him. He has six different types of honey, some special mueslis, his dried fruit and anything that’s a bit special that he is a bit fussy about.”
