Queen Elizabeth II followed rules in every corner of royal life, from protocol at Buckingham Palace to what appeared on her plate. During her 70-year reign, the late monarch kept a disciplined approach to food and avoided trends that swept through the wider public. One of the most popular comfort foods in the world was absent from palace dining whenever she was present. According to Hello, pizza was never served to the Queen, despite its popularity with younger members of the royal family.
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Darren McGrady Says Pizza Never Reached the Queen
Former royal chef Darren McGrady spent 11 years cooking at Buckingham Palace before moving to Kensington Palace, where he later worked for Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry. His account offers a rare glimpse into the Queen’s private preferences. "In the years that I cooked at [Buckingham] palace, the Queen never had pizza. I didn’t start cooking pizza until I moved across to Kensington Palace," Darren McGrady told Us Weekly. The contrast inside royal residences was clear: one kitchen avoided the dish entirely, while another prepared it regularly for younger royals.
Prince William Preferred a Curry-Inspired Version
At Kensington Palace, pizza was very much on the menu. McGrady said Prince William especially enjoyed it, and one version even blended two favorite flavors into one meal. "I [made] pizza all the time for William. In my second cookbook, The Royal Chef at Home, there’s a chicken tikka masala pizza [recipe] because he loves Indian food. The pizza combined the two," said Darren McGrady according to Us Weekly. The detail adds a lighter family note to the Queen’s stricter habits and shows how tastes differed across generations.
Princess Kate Once Joked About Asking the Queen
Princess Kate also touched on the topic during a 2019 visit to King Henry’s Walk Garden in Islington. While taking part in a pizza-making activity with schoolchildren, she was asked whether the Queen had ever tried the dish. Her answer was playful rather than certain. "You know, that’s such a good question. I don’t know. Maybe next time I see her, shall I ask?" said Princess Kate according to Hello. The exchange offered a small public glimpse of how unusual the Queen’s stance on pizza seemed, even within her own family circle.
Burgers at Balmoral Followed a Different Rule
While pizza was off the table, burgers were another matter entirely. The late monarch reportedly enjoyed homemade veal burgers prepared from deer shot at Balmoral, served with cranberries and without a bun. That detail drew attention because it broke with the usual image of a classic burger. As reported by Hello Magazine, registered nutritionist Marilia Chamon said the choice may have offered practical health benefits, including high-quality protein and fewer refined carbohydrates. It was another example of the Queen’s precise, personal approach to food throughout her life.
