On April 21, Her Majesty Elizabeth II celebrates her 88th birthday, not quite an anniversary yet, but a very symbolic date. And this means that all the British in a single rush will send congratulations to the Queen Mother, and the foggy Albion will be enlivened by widespread celebrations.
This is how kings celebrate
Perhaps being Queen of England (and 15 other Commonwealth states at the same time) is worth it for the happy privilege of celebrating your own birthday twice a year. The ancestor of an unusual tradition was once King Edward VII, who happened to be born in the deep autumn. The contagious English spleen, compounded by dank rains and frowning mists, was no fun. And therefore the monarch ordered to celebrate the birthdays of the acting kings in the summer, so that the people could walk to glory under favorable climatic conditions. Since then, the “spare” birthday of the English rulers is celebrated on the third Saturday of June, regardless of the date of their actual birth.
Be that as it may, for the current queen, both of these significant days are always associated with hassle, primarily because of the mandatory ceremonial reception. Elizabeth II always pays special attention to the menu for a festive feast, making it personally, and exclusively from traditional British cuisine. For example, at the reception in honor of the “diamond” anniversary of the queen’s reign, among the very unassuming dishes, you could try baked eggs with asparagus, lamb with baked potatoes, artichokes and peas, tomato and basil salad. For dessert, guests were treated to fresh strawberries straight from Kent and a fragrant vanilla charlotte. But the main decoration of the holiday was rightfully a giant 70-kilogram cake, over which several dozen confectioners conjured for 500 hours.
Elizabeth II celebrated her own 80th birthday in a very original manner and arranged a festive lottery, drawing an invitation to lunch with herself. 99 people from all over the world, who were born on the same day and year as the Queen, were honored to attend the solemn informal reception. The guests were particularly impressed by the tender beef with vegetables, which, according to their assurances, literally melted in their mouths.
An ordinary day for an ordinary queen
One of the chefs, who once cooked for Elizabeth II personally, revealed the secret that her favorite dish is a square of lamb with potatoes, carrots and beans. It is especially delicious when combined with two sauces to choose from: mint pesto made from pine nuts, pistachios, parmesan and olive oil, or an original sauce based on broth and red wine.
However, Her Majesty does not indulge in such goodies too often. In everyday life, she prefers simple and not too high-calorie dishes, regularly visits a nutritionist and leads a healthy lifestyle. So, in the morning, Elizabeth drinks a cup of black tea, caresses the four favorite thoroughbred corgis and takes water treatments. A modest breakfast, usually starting no later than nine in the morning, consists of a glass of orange juice, some toast with butter or jam, and fresh fruit.
Until dinner, the queen looks through the letters from her subjects, conducts an official reception, and deals with state affairs. During the break, she can eat fresh fruit or vegetables. The dinner of the royal person is also very unassuming, and can only include a simple sandwich with chicken meat or salmon.
The traditional five o’clock Elizabeth II never misses. She sips her favorite black tea with shortbread cookies or orange jam. But the queen excluded pastry from the pastry dough from the diet without bitter regrets. Despite the fact that dinner in true English traditions involves an abundance of hearty dishes, the queen allows herself only a few vegetables and cheese. She almost always dines in a respectful environment of the household.
By the way, the royal offspring of Elizabeth II, Charles, readily shares his mother’s views on a healthy lifestyle. The Duke of Wales even opened his own company that produces organic food, very popular not only in England, but also throughout Europe. On the shelves of its branded stores, you can find fresh meat, milk, vegetables, fruits, bread, as well as body care cosmetics and vitamins – all of which are completely natural. The prince personally guarantees the ecological purity and the highest quality of each product.
Whatever changes shake the modern world, Her Majesty the Queen of England remains an unshakable standard for her subjects. Especially when it comes to some original recipe for a family dinner or a new trendy diet.