QUEEN’S TASTES IN FOOD

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27098, 22 July 1953, Page 2

QUEEN’S TASTES IN FOOD

DISLIKE OF OYSTERS If Her Majesty the Queen, on her forthcoming visit to the Dominion, succumbs to the New Zealanders’ habit of drinking tea at frequent intervals, she will prefer tea brewed from a mixture of Indian and China teas, served with milk but very little sugar. At 11 am., when she is at home, the Queen often has coffee and sweet biscuits, and she sometimes invites Ministers or high officials to join her. When the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were touring Canada, it was noticed at an official dinner that the Queen talked to her neighbour while the other guests ate oysters, and that she left untouched those placed before her. The truth is that she never eats an oyster, although she eats all other kinds of fish and likes especially salmon and lobster. The Duke, however, is very fond of oysters and also of grouse, which the Queen will never touch in any form. On the whole, the Queen’s tastes in food are simple. She likes meat plainly roasted, and enjoys roast chicken, roast duck, and roast pheasant. The Queen does not like sauces made with wine. A favourite is sauce Hollandaise, and she likes cranberry sauce with roast turkey. She prefers, fresh fruit to desserts or puddings and does not particularly like cheese. Strawberries and raspberries are greatly enjoyed, and also fresh pineapple. Grapefruit is served for the Royal breakfast, all the year round. .