Queen 'needs comforts of home' on royal tours say experts
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Queen Elizabeth, 94, went on her first royal tour aged just 21. Since then, she has flown around the world countless times, visiting countries and representing the UK.
The Monarch has since retired from overseas travel, handing on her foreign duties to younger members of the family.
However, it is likely she has passed on many travel traditions to the likes of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who now take on her role.
One thing Her Majesty has some strict specifications for includes her packing list.
While it is unsurprising Queen Elizabeth often takes with her an abundance of bags and standing wardrobes, filled with all kinds of ensembles and home comforts, it seems she takes some unexpected items the typical traveller might not consider.
In fact, according to a royal reporter who embarked on a number of tours with the Monarch, she often takes her own food with her.
This is typically the case when travelling to corners of the world where food standards are questionable he states.
According to Telegraph royal reporter Gordon Rayner: “Deciding on the Queen’s programme is relatively simple: the host country will provide a list of suggestions, and her staff will approve most, while vetoing a handful, usually for logistical reasons.
“That is only the start, however. There is the food to worry about.”
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He continued: “If there is still a question mark over the quality of the local food, large containers of nourishing British foodstuffs will be taken on the trip, and bottled water in case the local supply proves unreliable.”
There are also strict rules on what food the Queen can eat while she is away.
This is often a problem for the chefs serving up dinner at the many state events she attends during her visit, as well as the Queen’s own personal staff.
“The Master of the Household department will be in the reconnaissance party to tell foreign chefs not to cook anything with garlic or too much spice for fear of giving the Queen bad breath, and not to cook shellfish or anything that could cause food poisoning,” explained Mr Rayner.
“The Queen likes fish and poultry but has never divulged what her favourite meal is, because, as one of her staff told me, ‘If she said she had a favourite meal, she would never get served anything else.’”
Mr Rayner says staff are also instructed on the correct way to make her favourite drink, which is said to be “Dubonnet and gin”.
This should be mixed at a 50/50 ratio.
However, her Majesty also requests some less opulent food items while travelling too, according to a separate insider.
Speaking as part of Channel 5 documentary ‘Secrets of the Royal Flight’, former royal plane pilot Graham Laurie revealed the Queen was partial to Fray Bentos pies during the flight.
The pies are sold off the shelves in supermarkets for a price of around £2.50.
They come in a variety of flavours including steak and kidney, and minced beef and onion.
“Do you know, they used to love it,” said Mr Laurie.
“I think it’s such a lovely change from all that fancy food which comes first class!”
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