The Queen always eats a 'boring' meal on Christmas Day, a former royal chef has revealed.
While you might expect the British monarch to go all out on the big day, one of her old cooks has claimed the opposite is true.
Darren McGrady, who used to work in the royal kitchens, said they just have a bog standard roast dinner, usually enjoying a big feed after mass.
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He said: "They're actually boring when it comes to festivities. They didn't do hams or anything, just traditional turkeys.
"We did three turkeys for the Queen and her family in the royal dining room, one for the children's nursery and then more for the 100 or so staff, so everyone had a Christmas lunch."
Adding: "The turkey is served with mashed and roast potatoes, chestnut or sage and onion stuffing, cranberry sauce and bread sauce.
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"Vegetables include Brussels sprouts, carrots and roast parsnips."
And McGrady went on to explain that the traditional Christmas pudding is "decorated in holly, doused in brandy, and the palace steward would carry it, flaming, into the royal dining room".
This goes against the account of former rugby player Mike Tindall, who is married to Lizzie's granddaughter, Zara, and said on his podcast last year that it's even simpler than that.
He said: "Christmas Day is a little more quiet because it's actually a cold buffet because they give everyone the day off, and their big day is Christmas Eve."
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According to reports, the Royals take Christmas very seriously and are even weighed before tucking into their meal.
The information dates back to 2018 when royal expert and biographer Ingrid Seward told Grazia that all of the guests are asked to 'weigh themselves' as they arrive for the festive celebrations.
This is apparently to ensure that guests are having a great time and make absolutely certain that they're being 'well fed'.
According to reports, the tradition dates back to the early 1900s when King Edward VII was on the throne.
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As well as being weighed, it's believed that the guests are expected to 'enter the dining room in order of seniority' which would be irritating if eight-year-old Prince George went strutting ahead.
After being seated 'the head chef carves the turkey' and 'paper hats are donned, but not by the Queen'.
It's got to be said though, these people know what they're doing - especially when it comes to 'making room' for more because they will all have a walk around the grounds of Sandringham estate before enjoying a 'candlelit dinner' in the evening.
It is a marathon and not a sprint, after all.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Food, Christmas, Queen Elizabeth II, The Queen, Royal Family