A former chef for the Royal Family has shared what the King and Queen are likely to eat for their Christmas dinner.
Darren McGrady, now a food writer, used to cook up feasts for the royals during the holidays. His clients included the late Queen Elizabeth II, who he said would eat the same thing every year.
While the monarch lived a lavish lifestyle, she ate like the rest of us at Christmas time.
McrGrady, 61, said: “They’re actually boring when it comes to festivities. They didn’t do hams or anything, just traditional turkeys.
“We did three turkeys for the Queen and her family in the royal dining room, one for the children’s nursery and then more for the 100 or so staff, so everyone had a Christmas lunch”.
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McGrady thinks the King and his wife Queen Camilla are likely to dine on something similar this year as the festivities kick off.
He said Kin Charles would pick a traditional turkey for the main meat. Mashed and roast potatoes and chestnut or sage and onion stuffing are likely to be included as sides.
The former chef added that vegetables including brussels sprouts, carrots and roast parsnips will likely be involved.
The royal will also probably feast on two sauces of either cranberry or bread, he added.
Before the big lunch, the Royal Family will have their breakfast at 9am before attending St Mary Magdelene Church for 11am, the former chef said.
On their return to the country residence, passed to King Charles III following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, pre-lunch drinks begin immediately.
This year, Camilla’s family are expected to be among the 40 guests invited for Christmas dinner at Sandringham.
It marks a major break from the usual protocol, where senior royals have typically dined without non-royal guests.
The royals have their dinner on Christmas Eve and open their presents, a German tradition known as Heiligabend Bescherung. While most royal couples will follow tradition this year, it is unclear if Harry and Meghan will be there.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with their children Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, were rumoured to be spending the festive season in the UK this year. It would have been the first time the couple spent Christmas with the Royal Family since 2018.
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