To mark their upcoming coronation, the country’s new monarch, King Charles III and his Queen Consort, recently unveiled the Coronation Quiche, a recipe the royals personally chose.
Described as “a deep quiche with a crisp, light pastry case and delicate flavours of spinach, broad beans, and fresh tarragon”, the recipe was shared with the public so that they could make it for the Coronation Big Lunches taking place up and down the nation.
But it isn’t the first time a monarch has marked an occasion with a special recipe.
Here is a look at the historically royal dishes that have become British staples, including coronation chicken.
Why is it called coronation chicken?
Just like King Charles III’s Coronation Quiche recipe, in 1953 Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was marked with a dish.
It was Poulet Reine Elizabeth, a chicken dish made with an Indian-inspired creamy curry sauce. And, over time, Brits started calling it by the English name, coronation chicken.
What other British dishes have royal links?
Dishes in celebration of monarchs’ jubilees
The coronation chicken recipe was said to be inspired by yet another historically royal dish, jubilee chicken, a recipe created to celebrate King George V’s silver jubilee in 1935.
That wasn’t the only Jubilee Chicken recipe shared with the nation. For Queen Elizabeth II’s golden jubilee in 2002 a baked chicken recipe dressed with a mix of creme fraiche, mayonnaise, lime, and ginger, and served with pasta salad was revealed.
And her platinum jubilee in 2022 was celebrated with the Platinum Pudding, created through a nationwide competition. It was a lemon Swiss roll and Amaretti trifle.
Victoria sponge
There are numerous dishes named in honour of Queen Victoria. But, perhaps, the most famous one is the Victoria sponge.
Known for her sweet tooth, the quintessentially British treat was the Queen’s favourite.
Battenberg cake
The vibrant Battenberg cak,e made with four square logs of sponge arranged in a checkerboard pattern, was created to mark the wedding of Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, Princess Victoria of Hesse, to Louis of Battenberg back in 1884.
Beef Wellington
While many believe that the dish may have existed before its royal name, Beef Wellington’s name is a nod to the Duke of Wellington and his victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1855.
Sandwiches
Arguably, sandwiches are one of the most British things out there and still popular, particularly at lunchtime.
The creation of delicious fillings being served in between two slices of bread is believed to have been invented by John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich, which explains the dish’s name.
