Royal Food Rules
Queen Elisabeth II has a collection of food and meal rules that, when put together, make dining a dizzying affair.
It’s not just ingredient restrictions. It’s about how and when they eat, the clothes that are acceptable, and who they can take samples from. Oh, and the doggies have their own menu as well.
No Garlic
You won’t find garlic on any menu in the royal palace. First of all, the Queen hates the stuff with a passion.
And since it also stinks up the breath, it’s considered a faux pas food. Onions are often a no-no as well. With these gone, it means there’s another dish that might make people cry...
No Starches
For anyone who loves starches, you’re in for a sad surprise.
Pasta (cry for garlic), potatoes, and rice are not for daily meals and usually saved for a special event. There’s no reason on than the royal “I said so” rule. Liz hates starchy food and insists on light meals for everyone. But the restrictions don’t end there.
No Shellfish
Many people might not want to live a life without shrimp or sushi, but there’s a firm “no shellfish” policy – especially when they are traveling.
It’s one of the few practical guidelines because it’s to avoid getting sick. Although, photographic evidence showing some of them breaking it now and then.
No Rare Meat
Maybe a blanket “no strange or really exotic stuff” is a better description for their menu. It doesn’t mean the cooking level.
It means finding zebra or subterranean rock snakes on your plate. This is also to avoid getting ill. It becomes tricky when they are in overseas and offered a strange local dish.
Purse Signals
When the Queen is finished, so are you. In the unlikely event that any of us finds ourselves at a royal dinner, if you see Elizabeth plop her purse on the table, it means you have about 5 minutes left until your plate is taken away.
She’s known to try and leave people adequate time. Still, it’s better to eat fast.
Meal Swap
If the roast chicken you whipped up for lunch catches a royal’s eye.
You might be in trouble. If one of the family members likes your meal better (and you haven’t touched it yet), you are obligated to give it to them and accept theirs instead (if they ask of course). Apparently, Prince Harry is notorious for this.
Kitchen Halt
Imagine being a royal chef, and you need to get something out of the oven ASAP.
Well, once the queen walks in, everyone must stop what they’re doing. Pans and pots are slid off the burners and everyone takes 3 steps back and bows. Cake burning? Too bad. Start again.
No Stains
Even if the shade is unnoticeable, the golden glassware decree is to keep things as clean and sparkling as possible.
So when Megan sips from her champagne glass, she has to try and keep lipstick off of it. Or, she had to at least drink from the same spot. Kinda makes sipping less fun.
Dog Food
Everyone knows how Elizabeth loves her big-bum corgis. Her fur babies are not allowed to eat common dog food.
The royal kitchen must always make them gourmet meals in a rotation of beef, chicken, rabbit, livers, etc. Rumor has it the kitchen staff hates the yappy, spoiled dogs.
No waste
It’s not necessarily that weird – more surprisingly waste-conscious. Any uneaten portions of food cannot be thrown out … ever.
Everything must be reused in some way. Meat could be put in a stew. Fruit could be added to desserts. Or staff could have leftovers. Her Majesty does not like food waste.
Farm To Table
The demand for organic food is no joke in the kitchen.
Everything must be delicious and healthy when possible. But when they’re on holiday in their vacation estates, they eat only the meat they hunt. Venison and wild game are common sights on their table. They’re not averse to cooking it themselves.
Specific Tea
It’s not one rule. It’s many.
There’s the “proper way to serve and drink tea”, but each royal has their own “special” way they prefer it. Messing this up can get a staffer in trouble. Oh, and anyone seen actually touched anything but the handle, would get a bit of stink eye.
No Gifts
This one can be a bit tricky.
If they are inside a planned or designated event, they can accept food from other people – and it must be in small portions. But if they are outside of one, they cannot. Basically, they can’t take a random bag of chips from Joe Shmo off the street.
Private Attire
No surprise here. It’s a very old rule that’s been carried over through monarchs - looking good at all times.
All family meals must “formal” dress. This doesn’t mean tuxedos and ball gowns. Jackets, suit slacks, pantyhose, knee-length dresses, and the like are always worn even if it’s a private deal.
Utensil Grace
Eating within the noble circle means a bit of acrobatic utensils.
They hold knives in their right hand and forks in their left with the tines facing down. Here’s what makes it fiddly; instead of stabbing the food, they slid it onto the back of the fork and bring it to their mouth. Peas would be a nightmare.