Easter Sunday holds a special place on the royal calendar. From Queen Victoria’s charming Easter egg hunts for her children to the modern-day tradition of the royal family attending Easter service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, the day has always been about faith, family, and warmth.
It’s also a time centered around food—and lots of it. Easter offers the rare chance for the royal family to come together for a lavish lunch, which is quite the departure for King Charles, who is famously known for skipping lunch altogether.
So, what’s on the royal Easter menu?
Though the royals dine behind closed doors, we’ve gotten glimpses of their Easter fare thanks to former royal chef Darren McGrady. In interviews, McGrady shared details of the culinary traditions that have long been part of the Easter celebration.
What Do the Royals Eat on Easter Sunday?
At the heart of the royal Easter feast is a traditional roast lamb lunch. Lamb has deep symbolic roots in both Christian and Protestant traditions, representing the ‘sacrificial lamb’ from the Old Testament and honoring Jesus as the ‘Lamb of God.’
This tradition has been upheld for decades. According to McGrady, the late Queen Elizabeth II had first pick of the lamb—and she preferred it well-done. Alongside the main course, the royals are typically served a side salad and other classic trimmings.
Once the main course is finished, the meal continues with a cheese and fruit course. A staple on the royal table? Windsor Cheese, produced at the Windsor Dairy.
Royal Easter Desserts
Dessert is a highlight of the Easter meal. McGrady once revealed that the royals enjoyed white Windsor peaches grown on the estate. And the indulgence doesn’t stop there.
During McGrady’s time in the royal kitchens (1982–1993), he and his fellow chefs would prepare hot cross buns for the royals to enjoy with afternoon tea. And of course, it wouldn’t be Easter without chocolate—an array of beautifully decorated chocolate eggs is typically part of the celebration. The late Queen Elizabeth II, according to McGrady, was a “total chocoholic.”
King Charles, however, is not as fond of sweets. McGrady noted that the King “isn’t a huge fan of chocolate at all.” But when it comes to roast lamb, it’s another story. Despite his well-known habit of skipping lunch—a fact even confirmed by Clarence House in a list of 70 fun facts released for his 70th birthday—the King makes an exception at Easter. McGrady confirmed that Charles “adored” eating lamb.
So, while King Charles might normally forgo lunch, Easter Sunday proves to be one delicious tradition worth bending the rules for.
