Balmoral, the Royal Family's estate in the Scottish Highlands, has long been a cherished summer retreat, offering a respite from formal palace life. While traditionally associated with grand traditions, the estate's atmosphere could also foster a hands-on approach to family meals, according to former royal chef Darren McGrady.
McGrady, who served the Royal Family for 15 years, recalled instances where senior royals actively participated in preparing food, particularly during barbecues and other gatherings. He noted that Princess Anne would often visit the kitchen to inquire about contributing to the first course. "You’d often get Princess Anne come down to the kitchen and say: 'I’m in charge of the first course tonight, what can I take?'" McGrady stated.
Prince Philip was described as a particularly enthusiastic cook, often taking charge of the main course during outdoor barbeques. "He loved to cook and cared about foods and recipes," McGrady said of the late Duke of Edinburgh. "He’d go on to ask what we could marinate them with and what vegetables were in the garden." Prince Philip also shared a preference with his son, King Charles, for fresh, locally sourced produce, often selecting ingredients from the estate's gardens.
Prince Edward was reportedly tasked with preparing dessert, with a particular fondness for making pancakes. Royal staff would prepare the batter, and Prince Edward would then fill them with fruits gathered from the estate. "He'd want to fill them with things like raspberries or strawberries from the garden with ice cream," McGrady recounted.
This collaborative approach to meal preparation created an environment where family members were willing to actively participate rather than simply be served. McGrady characterized the royals as being "weren't afraid to let their hair down and get stuck in."
However, not all members of the family shared the same enthusiasm for the estate's country lifestyle. McGrady claimed that Diana, Princess of Wales, "didn’t like Balmoral at all," finding the outdoor activities unsuited to her preferences. Her aversion to horse riding, stemming from a childhood fall, meant she largely avoided equestrian pursuits at the estate. McGrady noted that her involvement with horses was limited to accompanying her son, Prince William, on his Shetland pony. Diana also reportedly preferred the more structured routine of London life, where mealtimes were more consistent. "Dinner for her was 6.30pm, but if the royal family were dining, she couldn’t go to eat or go to bed at her usual time. They would often go out to the hills and didn’t come back until 11pm at night," he explained.
This year, the 50,000-acre Balmoral estate is scheduled to close to visitors from August 10 until October for the Royal Family's annual summer stay. King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to lead the gathering, which will also include the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children. Balmoral held significant importance for the late Queen Elizabeth II, who spent numerous summers there with Prince Philip. The couple even stayed at Birkhall, a hunting lodge on the estate, for part of their honeymoon in 1947.