Former royal chef details the ‘boring’ Christmas Day lunch King Charles eats every single year

• Darren McGrady said the Royal Family eat the same Christmas meal each year
• Read more: How the royal family spends Christmas 

A former royal chef has revealed the King and Queen’s favourite Christmas Day meal, which he claims isn’t too adventurous.

Darren McGrady, 61, a Nottinghamshire chef who once cooked for members of the monarchy, including the late Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana, has said the family are sticklers for festive tradition.

Speaking to OK magazine, the food writer unveiled details of what a typical Christmas dinner looked like for the royals – and it resembled the much-loved meal enjoyed at home by many Brits.

He said: ‘It was the same meal every year. 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’.

Former royal chef Darren McGrady has revealed the royal family’s favourite Christmas meal, while dubbing their annual choice ‘boring’ (Pictured: Princess Charlotte, Princess of Wales, Camilla, Queen Consort, Prince George, King Charles and Prince William attend Christmas Day service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2022)

He named a traditional turkey as the main of choice, to be accompanied by mashed and roast potatoes and chestnut or sage and onion stuffing (Stock image)

With King Charles expected to head palace festivities for the second time since his mother’s passing last year, the chef revealed what the King is likely to feast on.

He named a traditional turkey as the main of choice, to be accompanied by mashed and roast potatoes and chestnut or sage and onion stuffing.

In addition, two sauces of either cranberry or bread, as well as vegetables, brussels sprouts, carrots and roast parsnips are also to be expected.

The tasty tradition continues with a homemade dessert of brandy-doused Christmas pudding.

According to Darren, pudding is served following Christmas dinner and will be brought into the dining room by the palace steward hot and ‘flaming’.

Although her son is likely to shake things up with his own personal touch, when it came to the Queen, Christmas drinks included a classic gin and dubonnet cocktail, and a glass of Gewürztraminer – a medium-to-full bodied German white wine.

The rest of the special day is expected to get quite hectic for the royals, and is expected to be filled with family, fun and festivity. 

The big day will kick off with the monarch dining on a personal breakfast, before the whole family gets together to head over to St Mary Magdalene Church for the 11am service.

Darren, 61, a Nottinghamshire chef who once cooked for members of the monarchy, including the late Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana, has said the famous family are sticklers for festive tradition (Pictured: Darren attends BritWeek’s 10th Anniversary VIP Reception & Gala at Fairmont Hotel on May 1, 2016 in Los Angeles, California)

According to the chef, the royal family will also feast on two sauces of either cranberry or bread, as well as vegetables, brussels sprouts, carrots and roast parsnips are also to be expected (Stock image)

After that, the royal family’s Christmas Day looks a lot like other families’ December 25 – filled with food at every turn.

The royals will dine on delicacies such as ox tongue and stuffed boar’s head; but the classic Christmas dinner is still observed as the royals eat roast turkey with all the trimmings.

Later on there’s much fun to be had during the unboxing of a royal Fortnum and Mason Christmas hamper containing organic jams, chutneys and other tasty treats.

After lunch and a spot of more fun, it’s time for the family to watch the monarch’s Christmas message on television, followed by a supper of roasted hams and boar’s head.

Ending the day is a Christmas boogie as the palace’s staff will meet for an evening of disco and drinks for the rest of the night.

And on Christmas Eve, the royals are known to crank things up another notch.

With King Charles expected to head palace festivities for the second time since his mother’s passing last year, the chef revealed what the king is likely to feast on (Pictured: King Charles delivers his message during the recording of his first Christmas broadcast last year)

The late Queen is said to have enjoyed Christmas drinks, including a classic gin and dubonnet cocktail, and a glass of Gewürztraminer – a medium-to-full bodied German white wine (Pictured: Queen Elizabeth II records her annual Christmas broadcast in Windsor Castle)

One tradition that sets the royal family apart from the rest of us is their stately annual dinner.

The grand black-tie dinner usually takes place on Christmas Eve at their country residence in Sandringham, Norfolk, where the royals travel for the festive period.

The who’s who of the famous family are expected to descend upon the sprawling estate to dine with King Charles, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and his niece Zara Philips and her husband Mike Tindall.

The grown-up affair kicks off in the evening with pre-dinner martinis – so no kids allowed. Meanwhile, guests are expected to show out in their Sunday best, with the women donning glamorous ballgowns and wearing tiaras and jewels.

The main event is an upscale four-course feast, including a starter followed by a beef course and a helping of cheese.

Dessert often involves chocolate, which was the late Queen’s favourite. But with King Charles presiding over matters this year, there could be a new festive sweet on the horizon.

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