A former royal chef who cooked for the likes of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip has revealed the strict meal times the household followed for different family members. According to former royal chef Darren McGrady , the daily dining schedule in the late monarch’s household was strictly regimented, with each member of the family often eating separately according to their own habits and tastes. “Meal times were fixed,” the chef revealed. “The Queen was very strict and disciplined. Contrary to popular belief, she never called for food at odd hours. They had set meals, and if they wanted something in between, there was always fruit or chocolates in their rooms.” Breakfast for the late Queen was served at 9am sharp – and surprisingly, it was a modest affair. “The Queen鈥檚 breakfast was at 9am, served in her room. She鈥檇 help herself to cereal from a Tupperware container, especially Special K, even though there were 20 chefs available to cook anything.鈥 Her husband, Prince Philip, had different preferences and often dined separately. 鈥淧rince Philip, on the other hand, enjoyed more adventurous breakfasts like deviled kidneys,鈥 the chef said. Lunch was always at 1pm, while dinner was served promptly at 8:15pm, moved to 8:30pm only if the Queen Mother was present. Though the timing was fixed, the food was often traditional and comforting rather than lavish. 鈥淲e didn’t do anything over-the-top extravagant. The Queen was very frugal, likely due to her wartime upbringing,” the chef explained. “Ingredients like lobster, caviar, and foie gras were reserved for state banquets. On normal days, she was perfectly happy with comfort food, so we cooked meals like cottage pie.” Each member of the family, the chef noted, had their own culinary preferences. “Each royal had their favourites. For the Queen, it always came back to indigenous produce – partridge or venison from Sandringham, grouse from Balmoral. “The had a sweet tooth and loved dark chocolate, especially anything over 60 percent cocoa. Any dessert with chocolate on the menu was sure to be chosen.鈥 The then-Prince Charles, now King , stood out for his passion for organic and Mediterranean foods. “Charles was the most adventurous. He brought organic food into the royal kitchens long before it became mainstream,” the chef said. “He鈥檇 bring his own hampers with home-grown fruits and vegetables, especially at Sandringham… He also enjoyed foraging for wild mushrooms which he would bring to the kitchens for us to use in meals.” Despite the modern fascination with dietary requirements, the royal table rarely accommodated special requests. 鈥淒uring my 11 years with the Queen, we didn鈥檛 have a single vegetarian, gluten-free, or lactose-intolerant guest,鈥 the chef revealed. 鈥淚f you dined with the Queen, you ate what the Queen ate. If you didn鈥檛 like it, you鈥檇 stop for a McDonald鈥檚 on the way home.鈥 And while garlic wasn鈥檛 outright banned, it was subtly left out of the late monarch’s meals. 鈥淭here weren鈥檛 banned foods, but the Queen didn鈥檛 like garlic or strong onions, viewing them as antisocial,鈥 the chef said. 鈥淧rince Philip, however, loved garlic and would have it at his dinner parties.鈥 The younger royals had a more relaxed approach. Prince William and Prince Harry were fond of comfort food, and occasionally indulged in fast food. 鈥淲ills and Harry loved cottage pie, pizza, chicken nuggets, french fries, potato wedges, macaroni cheese,鈥 the chef recalled. 鈥淥ne lunchtime, the Princess came in and said, 鈥楥ancel lunch today. I鈥檓 taking them out.鈥 I asked, 鈥榃here are you going?鈥 and she said, 鈥楳cDonald鈥檚.鈥 I said, 鈥業 can do burgers better than McDonald鈥檚,鈥 and she said, 鈥業 know that Darren, but they want the toys in the Happy Meal.鈥欌 For royal events such as state banquets, the chefs prepared more extravagant dishes. 鈥淎 state visit takes a lot of planning,鈥 the chef explained. 鈥淲e鈥檇 get likes, dislikes, and dietary restrictions from the Foreign Office, then plan four menus and send them to the Queen – she鈥檇 choose one.鈥 The Queen鈥檚 taste remained consistent even for formal occasions. 鈥淒essert was often a bombe glac茅e – an ice cream dish. The Queen loved ice cream or chocolate desserts,鈥 he added.