Our longtime international partnership with Carolyn Robb, previously then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s government chef for 13 years, has enriched visitors’ travels within the UK throughout particular displays crammed with behind-the-scenes tales (and recipes). It’s been one month for the reason that passing of Queen Elizabeth, and we’re honored to share with you Carolyn’s private, heartfelt reflections.
Wednesday night (September seventh 2022), throughout a cheerful Tauck England, Scotland & Wales tour farewell dinner, I talked at size to the group about my former boss, Prince Charles, and why, within the fullness of time, I knew he would make a beautiful King. Lower than 24 hours later His Majesty King Charles III ascended to the throne. At the same time as lovely flowers are laid in nice swathes in each nook of the nation, by these paying their respects to our late Queen, it nonetheless one way or the other appears surreal and inconceivable that our one ‘fixed’ over the previous 70 years, is now not with us.
Throughout my unimaginable 13 years as a Royal chef, I used to be vastly privileged to fulfill The Queen on many events; each so memorable in its personal means. Throughout my first few months at Kensington Palace, once I was cooking for TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and their youngsters, I accompanied them to Windsor Fort, the place they have been becoming a member of the annual Royal Household Christmas gathering. On Christmas morning, (the in the future within the 12 months once I had assumed that the Queen wouldn’t undertake any ‘duties’) I used to be shocked to be referred to as to one of many drawing rooms within the fortress, together with all the opposite members of employees who have been on responsibility that day. Her Majesty shook every of us by the hand, mentioned a couple of phrases and handed out superbly wrapped presents. I used to be thrilled with the beautiful lavender cleaning soap that she kindly gave me, however that paled into insignificance in comparison with the present of her time. Her phrases to me have been heat, participating and humorous and most notably, it was an ‘un-rushed’ dialog, regardless of there being a room full of individuals for her to ‘get by way of’ earlier than she might calm down and benefit from the day’s festivities together with her household. She commented on the truth that I used to be engaged on Christmas day; I want I had had the presence of thoughts on the time to ask her if she ever, ever gave herself a ‘day without work’.
I feel I do know what the reply would have been.
