How does the Queen leave her cutlery?
Jessica Wood
Updated on January 13, 2026
How do royals hold their cutlery?
You know, like, don't eat with your hands and keep your mouth closed while chewing. That's all equally important for royals. There is also a correct way to hold your utensils. Knives go in the right hand, forks in the left, with the fork facing toward the plate.Does everyone stop eating when the Queen does?
Anyone dining together with the Queen, including the members of the royal family, must keep this simple rule: one must always follow Her Majesty's every move and do what she does. So if she stops eating, everyone else at the table must also stop.Does the Queen eat the same thing everyday?
But just what does Queen Elizabeth eat on a day to day basis? Well, according to Darren McGrady, a former chef in the Royal kitchens, the Queen sticks to the same foods most days. This may come as a surprise to many, but the Queen is clearly a creature of habit.What happens when the Queen finished eating?
Did you know that dinner companions must echo the monarch's behaviour throughout the meal? So if the Queen stops eating, everyone else must put down their knife and fork too. According to former royal butler Paul Burrell, there was one notable occasion when this rule was accidentally broken.Really Weird Rules The Royals Have About Food
Does the Queen dress up for dinner?
All royals and guests must follow a specific dress codeModesty is the best policy for royal dinners, and high necklines are recommended. Women should wear dresses and stockings, and men typically wear trousers and coats.
How do royals stay so thin?
The monarch is believed to keep things simple for lunch, often enjoying a plate of fish and vegetables. Darren told House and Garden that a typical lunch would be Dover sole on a bed of wilted spinach. The royal is said to avoid starchy food such as pasta and potatoes when eating alone.What is the Queen's least Favourite food?
Are there any foods the Queen doesn't like? The Queen does not enjoy strong flavours, such as garlic and onion, says McGrady. "The Queen doesn't like garlic... we could never use it at Buckingham Palace.”What is Queen Elizabeth's favorite meal?
Crustless Tea SandwichesQueen Elizabeth has adhered to a daily teatime meal, and her personal preference for delicate sandwiches with the crusts cut off is well-publicized. Her favorite version is reported to be smoked salmon with cream cheese.
What time does the Queen eat dinner?
After tea, the Queen returns to her office for an hour to wrap up the day's work. Unless Her Majesty must attend an event in the evening, she will typically retire to her room at 6 pm and ready herself for dinner at 8 pm.Does the Queen eat alone?
Queen Elizabeth has some unexpected dining habitsPerhaps the secret to Elizabeth's long rule is her healthy, low carb dinner habit. The royal is said to never eat starches while dining alone – meaning pasta, potatoes and rice are off the menu. We wish we had the discipline!
Does the royal family curtsy in private?
Back in 2012, The Telegraph reported the royals "bow and curtsy to each other in public and in private" and noted that Kate Middleton was seen curtsying to Prince Philip on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.Does the Queen eat first?
Rule #2: You can only eat while the Queen is eatingThe second rule follows suit. Since everyone has to follow the queue of the Queen, that also applies to starting or finishing a meal. When the Queen starts eating, the rest of the dinner party is allowed to eat.