On the evening of December 25, after a day filled with lavish banquets, the British royal family opts for a more sober dinner: a self-service cold buffet.
It’s already a long-established tradition for the Windsors, who give the night off to Royal Household staff so they can celebrate Christmas with their families.
What dishes make up this peculiar Christmas menu? We tell you in detail.
The British Royal Family’s Christmas Menu
The British royal family’s extravagant cold buffet consists of a wide variety of cold meats, smoked fish, and salads.
Among the first courses, we find delicacies such as roast beef, foie gras, beef tongue, York ham, or the traditional smoked turkey.
Second courses vary between mousses and the most original salads, such as a salmon mousse crown, arugula, quail egg salad, or a refreshing rice salad.
It is also said that they spread jam on the sandwiches served at the buffet.
Another curious anecdote dates back to 1993, when Prince Harry scribbled a note to his brother William on the back of the Christmas menu, asking him intrigued “What are you talking about?”.
This curious document, kept for years by a former royal chef, was auctioned in October for more than $8,000.
After this frugal dinner, they toast with a glass of wine or champagne while watching King Charles III’s Christmas speech on television.
A simple tradition that has remained unchanged for decades and is part of the idiosyncrasy of Christmas in the British Royal Household.