The late Queen Elizabeth II’s breakfast of choice was revealed in an interesting anecdote by a former member of staff – and King Charles also has some unique requests

Throughout her impressive 70 year reign, Queen Elizabeth II stuck to a strict schedule every day – from carrying out official engagements to chairing meetings and attending to papers in her daily red box.

While that all sounds perfectly Queen-like, it is possible that one of her breakfast ingredients of choice was the key to this steadfast routine.

A former royal servant’s memoirs reveal all about the food that the monarch loved to indulge in – as well as how she and Princess Margaret learned to cook it themselves.

One of the best stories was revealed by the Queen’s former servant, Charles Oliver, in his book ‘Dinner at Buckingham Palace’ which is based on his diaries and personal recollections.

The monarch enjoyed this breakfast treat

An extract from the book revealed that the Queen “has been partial to kippers since the war years” and that when she and Princess Margaret were exploring around different areas of Windsor Castle, they came across a “compelling aroma”.

Oliver wrote: “Fascinated, they traced the smell to its source and found themselves outside the private kitchen of Mrs Alice Bruce, then housekeeper at the castle.”

Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret enjoyed this breakfast (Image: BBC / Royal Collection Trust)
Oliver continued: “They politely knocked on the door and were welcomed into the old-fashion kitchen with its great iron oven range – and it’s frying kippers. Mrs Bruce gave the princesses their first taste of kipper, and showed them how to cook the fish as well.”

The author went on: “Kippers, in a number of uncomplicated variations, have remained a favourite with the Queen ever since – for breakfast, as a savoury or a late-night supper.”

King Charles’ breakfast of choice is also unique (Image: PA)
Just like his late mother, King Charles also has a number of unique breakfast habits according to former members of royal staff. Speaking before Queen Elizabeth’s death, royal chef Graham Newbould revealed: “Prince Charles has a healthier option. He’d have homemade bread, a bowl of fresh fruit, fresh fruit juices.

“Wherever the Prince goes in the world, the breakfast box goes with him. He has six different types of honey, some special mueslis, his dried fruit and anything that’s a bit special that he is a bit fussy about.”

King Charles has some unique breakfast habits

Another specific breakfast request was revealed by former royal chef Darren McGrady, who worked for the family for more than 15 years. He explained that King Charles likes to ensure the royal pantry is well stocked with “his own produce”.

Darren said: “The instruction was to put two plums and a little juice into the bowl and send it into him for breakfast. I’d send in two plums and he would take one so it would come back out after breakfast and I’d put the other plum back into the jar and save it.

“One morning I thought, ‘OK, he only eats one for breakfast,’ so I only put one plum into the bowl and sent it out into the dining room. The attending [waiter] came through and said, ‘can His Royal Highness have two please?’ So I had to keep sending two in every morning.”