Does the Queen Eat Alone?

It has been almost two years since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and she remains largely alone now, especially after the loss of Prince Philip. While her residence changed from Windsor to other locations with her staff, the Queen's dining habits have remained consistent and unremarkably formal. However, the traditions and formalities surrounding royal meals reflect the unique status and conventions of the British monarchy.

Current Living Arrangements

Since the retirement of Prince Philip to Sandringham, the Queen's time has been increasingly spent at Windsor Castle. With her children and grandchildren now living their own lives, most members of the royal family have moved out, leaving the Queen mostly alone.

By the time someone reaches 96 years old, it is common for the family to have moved on, so the Queen's solitude is seen more as a natural progression rather than a cause for concern. If one of her children were still living in the palace, it would be more unusual and possibly more tragic.

Formalities in Royal Dining

Meals in the royal household are considered formal encounters, and her ladies-in-waiting, despite their close relationship, would consider it improper to join her at the table. The Queen, known for her simplicity, does not enjoy elaborate meals or alcoholic drinks, and dining is often a routine affair with little fuss.

Queen Mary, on the other hand, was known for her strict formalities. She would not sit down for a meal unless she wore a tiara, even if it was a family gathering. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor would always dress up, even for a two-person dinner, with the Duke waiting at the foot of the stairs to escort his Duchess to her seat at a long dining table.

Inside Buckingham Palace

Despite the elaborate traditions and formalities, the Queen's daily life displays a more practical and simple side. When the newspapers sent a spy to uncover the secrets of the royal household, the most astonishing revelation was how the Queen eats her cereal from Tupperware containers at breakfast.

Prince Philip was known for his love of cooking his own sausages on a BBQ that he fixed to the dining table. His sausages would leave a lingering smell, and so he was only allowed to cook on weekends. However, the Royal Family found it amusing that Philip still cooked on the weekdays despite not staying at Buckingham Palace.

Another interesting detail came to light during the royal dinner gatherings. When Princess Diana came to dinner, she would often rush to the bathroom afterward to vomit, a habit that baffled the other guests who still teased her for it. They noticed that despite her eating habits, she never gained weight, a fact they attributed to her already slim constitution.

Conclusion

The lifestyle depicted in the daily lives of the Queen and her royal entourage reflects a blend of tradition, modernity, and individual habits. The adherence to formalities in dining, while novel and intriguing, also underscores the rich tapestry of British royal culture.