Royal Family's Christmas menu revealed - from Queen's 'favourite' dish to King's rules

Although the exact food spread may have changed a little over the years, when it comes to Christmas lunch for the royal family it's still rather a grand occasion

From the grand Tudor feasts to Edwardian dinner tables laden with delicacies, banquets have always been a staple of Royal life. A guest at Queen Victoria's Christmas feast once described a "mighty sight": 50 turkeys roasting in the kitchen, a massive slab of beef and a woodcock pie made from 100 birds. The modern menu may be more modest, but the setting for Christmas lunch remains just as grand. If numbers permit, the royals dine in Sandringham's green dining room. "It's all done so beautifully," shares Royal expert Ingrid Seward. "There's a long mahogany table and the room is adorned with exotic arrangements of flowers and ferns, in Victorian style. The finest crystal is brought up from the glass pantry and the china from the china cellar – as far as Charles is concerned, what's the point in having all this fancy stuff if it's not used?".

The main course is served immediately – roasted Norfolk turkey with all the trimmings from mashed and roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts and carrots to stuffing, roast parsnips and cranberry sauce, cooked to perfection, reports OK!. Former Royal head chef, Darren McGrady has fond memories of his time at Sandringham. "The senior chef on duty would carve the turkey in front of the family," he recalls. The late Queen would then offer the chef a glass of whisky and they'd toast him, as a thank you for the year gone by. "It's one of the chef's favourite traditions."

At 2pm, a flaming Christmas pudding, doused in brandy is ceremoniously carried into the room by a steward. The late Queen's children used to dine separately in the nursery, but times have changed. "They'll sit with the adults now, if there's room," revealed former Royal butler Grant Harrold, who also alluded to a modern, child-friendly approach within the Royal Family. "The younger children will be offered exactly what the adults are having, but there will be backup options, such as chicken goujons. And I've seen tomato ketchup on a few royal tables! " The royals aren't shy about helping themselves either. "If the footman isn't in the room and something needs to be served or a dish passed along, they'll 100% do it themselves," Grant added. "A lot of the royals are really hands-on, especially the ladies."

And when it comes to seconds at the dinner table? "If you're family you can ask for seconds – if you're a guest, then you wait to be offered more. But the King doesn't like to see food go to waste so it's likely he'll insist on seconds being offered." Even though the Christmas lunch might seem casual compared to the past—with its stuffed boar's head, ox tongue, salmon, and game—the royals maintain their manners. The King will converse with the person on his right during the main course and switch to the left for dessert, a practice that is observed down the length of the table, ensuring no cross-table chatter disrupts the meal's flow.

The festive food marathon carries on with a chocolate yule log, Christmas cake and mince pies for afternoon tea. The Royal kitchen staff whip up different versions of the classic mince pie – one with puff pastry and another topped with flaked almonds brushed with egg whites and icing sugar, "to add a bit of texture," shares former Royal pastry chef Kathryn Cuthbertson. Before you know it, it's time for 'round two'. "That's when the royals dig into the buffet, which is like our version of 'leftovers' but with 15-20 different dishes," reveals Grant.

"They'll serve themselves, but they'll sit at the table, they won't eat off plates on their laps like we might! " A cheese course with port, featuring a large round of Stilton sent by Harrods, rounds off the meal. You might think the royals would be reaching for the antacids by this point, but Ingrid says, "They aren't as greedy as the rest of us. They don't eat and drink everything that's put in front of them because they're so used to these enormous spreads. So they eat quite sparingly."

The Prince of Wales might be the exception to the rule when it comes to festive indulgence. "I do tend to eat a lot over Christmas," Prince William once revealed. "There's always a little bit of space left in my stomach for a bit of turkey or sausage or a bit of wine." The Royal Christmas celebrations start on Christmas Eve with an afternoon tea featuring honey and cream sponge, small scones, and delicate sandwiches. However, the real culinary delights are saved for the formal candlelit dinner that evening.

"It's a lavish affair with a strict seating plan. Think of Downton Abbey and you're pretty spot on," insider Grant shares. Royal expert Robert Jobson notes that Queen Camilla will have the final say on the menu, mentioning, "I think Charles' tastes are quite plain, so they won't have anything too fancy." The six-course meal usually includes Norfolk shrimps, estate game, and a soufflé or tarte tatin for pudding—and yes, it's "pudding", not "dessert" or "afters".

In the past, the late Queen's preferred cocktail, the 'Zaza', a mix of Dubonnet and gin, was served. Nowadays, the royals might sip on some of Queen Camilla's beloved Bordeaux from Pomerol. Expect plenty of organic fare at the table, but foie gras is off the menu as it's banned from all Royal residences due to the King's disapproval of the force-feeding methods involved in its production.

Christmas Day at Sandringham starts with a hearty breakfast spread featuring black pudding and kippers, while the ladies often go for lighter fare like sliced fruit or toast. But nowadays, it's likely our health-conscious King Charles might favour these lighter options himself, given his preference for fresh fruit and wholemeal bread in the morning. "They will most likely have a glass of Bucks Fizz (Champagne with orange juice), too," notes Royal commentator Grant. The Royal festivities don't slow down on Boxing Day either — it involves a brisk pheasant shoot on the estate.

To keep everyone fueled, says former Royal chef Darren McGrady, they pack fried Christmas pudding slices, neatly wrapped in wax paper, and enjoy a buffet including kedgeree to kick off the day. Post-hunt, the royals indulge in a luxurious beef bourguignon or venison stew lunch garnished with mashed potatoes and braised red cabbage. And clean-up? Not a concern for the royals over the three-day celebration, points out Royal expert Ingrid: "Who wouldn't accept an invitation to Sandringham for Christmas?!".