McGrady said the ladies prefer a light breakfast of “sliced fruit, half a grapefruit, toast and coffee delivered to their rooms” while the men enjoy a proper English including eggs, bacon, mushrooms, kippers and grilled kidneys.
After the royals have gone to church, they return home where they are served the Christmas lunch which includes a “salad with shrimp or lobster, and a roasted turkey, and all of your traditional side dishes like parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts and Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert”.
Later in the afternoon and after they’ve watched the monarch’s speech at 3pm, they are served afternoon tea which is accompanied by fruit cake.
And if that sounds like a lot, the gastronomical fun doesn’t stop there, as the previous meals serve as just a warm-up for the main event, the royal Christmas buffet dinner.
The buffet is said to include around a whopping 20 food items.
McGrady continued: “Right before the Christmas buffet with 15-20 different items, the senior chef on duty goes into the dining room and carves the rib roast or turkey or ham and once he’s done, Her Majesty presents the chef with a glass of whiskey and they toast.
“That’s the only time the chef goes into the dining room and has a glass of whiskey with the royal family. It’s one of the chef’s favourite traditions.”
