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A former chef for in the royal kitchens, Darren McGrady, has revealed that "the Queen is not a foodie" unlike late husband Prince Phillip, who would "loves to eat and would stand and talk food all day." Here's what a typical day in the life of the Queen.
Breakfast
According to Brian Hoey, the author of At Home with the Queen, Her Majesty enjoys a pre-breakfast of biscuits and Earl Grey tea (no milk, no sugar) with her corgis (who get table scraps) before having breakfast with the Duke of Edinburgh.
They're served by tail-coated footmen in the Queen's private first floor dining room at Buckingham Palace and they choose from cereal, yoghurt and maple syrup, but often the Queen picks toast with marmalade, which she enjoys while reading the morning papers - her favorites are said to be The Telegraph and the Racing Post. On the occasions the Queen does have cereal, it is served from Tupperware - which she believes keeps it fresher for longer.
Lunch
Margaret Rhodes, the Queen's cousin, says Her Majesty loves a tipple before lunch. Her afternoon go-to co*cktail is gin and Dubonnet with a slice of lemon and lots of ice and then a glass of wine with lunch. Darren says a typical lunch would be fish and vegetables, like Dover sole on a bed of wilted spinach.
Afternoon tea
Of course the queen loves afternoon tea and partakes in the tradition daily. Darren says her favorite cakes are honey and cream sponge, ginger cake, and a chocolate biscuit cake that is so lovely, Prince William also had it served at his wedding to Kate Middleton.
Sandwiches consist of the classic cucumber, smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise, and ham and mustard sandwiches - with the crusts cut off, obviously. The queen also loves jam pennies - small raspberry jam sandwiches cut into the size and shape of an old English penny. All washed down with her favorite Earl Grey tea.
Dinner
Evening meals for the Queen would consist of game or fish, such as pheasant or venison from Sandringham or salmon from Balmoral. She would also enjoy the white peaches grown in the greenhouses at Windsor Castle or the strawberries grown at Balmoral, for pudding, as well as other fresh fruit.
The Queen rounds off her day with a dry martini and a glass of Champagne, according to her cousin Margaret Rhodes. The Queen's favourite brands include Bollinger, Lanson and Krug - which have all been given royal warrants.
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