By Molly Claire Goddard
10:10am PST, Mar 2, 2026
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Tradition dictates that the reigning monarch sets the pace of the meal for those dining with the royals. When Queen Elizabeth II put down her utensils, everyone else at the table would do the same.
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According to etiquette expert
Laura Windsor — who was trained by a former staff member of the royal family — Queen Elizabeth II tended to break this rule during meals with a large number of guests. "Queen Elizabeth II was known to eat very quickly, but when she was in company, she slowed down so everyone could enjoy and finish their meals," she said in an interview with
Reader's Digest via
HELLO!.
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Former royal chef
Darren McGrady claimed Queen Elizabeth II had a humble palate. "The Queen was very frugal, likely due to her wartime upbringing. Ingredients like lobster, caviar and foie gras were reserved for state banquets. On normal days, she was perfectly happy with comfort food, so we cooked meals like cottage pie," he said in an interview with
The Mirror via
HELLO!.
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While Queen Elizabeth II didn't make demands, there were ingredients she preferred not to use — much to
Prince Philip's chagrin. "There weren't banned foods, but the Queen didn't like garlic or strong onions, viewing them as antisocial. Prince Philip, however, loved garlic and would have it at his dinner parties," he told
Birmingham Live via
HELLO!.
