Queen Elizabeth Has a Surprisingly Unroyal Eating Habit That We Completely Relate To

We expect the royal family to pretty much always follow stuffy protocols, but even they like to keep things casual now and then. In fact, when she’s not hosting a fancy event, Queen Elizabeth apparently prefers eating dinner in front of her TV just like the rest of us!

Royal biographer Lady Colin Campbell explained in a 2019 UK docuseries that Elizabeth enjoys the more relaxed dining style, especially while spending time at Balmoral, her vacation home in Scotland. “She has her dinner off a tray looking at the television,” Campbell said. “She likes it. It’s homely and cozy and it’s comfortable.” 

Of course, now we need to know what shows the Queen watches while digging into her meal. According to Campbell, she’s a big fan of police dramas and mysteries like Misdomer Murders and The Bill. She also likes lighthearted shows like Last of the Summer Wine, the longest running sitcom in the UK, and the sci-fi staple Doctor Who (which reminds us of her favorite movie, Flash Gordon). 

As for what she has on her plate, we have a feeling that’s where she keeps things a bit more regal. We can’t really see her popping a frozen TV dinner in the microwave, after all. Former palace chef Darren McGrady previously revealed Elizabeth’s meal is a traditional Gaelic steak made from venison with a creamy mushroom sauce on top. 

Unlike her late husband Prince Philip, who liked to get adventurous with food, she also prefers dishes that don’t have a ton of heavy spices — and absolutely no garlic! However, Elizabeth has been known to extend her palate for at least one spicy Caribbean stew. And we can’t forget her favorite dessert: a rich chocolate cake.

We love imagining Elizabeth cozying up on a couch to watch a few episodes of their favorite shows with a delicious plate of food in front of them. We’re sure the rest of the royal family joins in when they visit, too — but would never dare fight her for the remote control!