Remembering Queen Elizabeth: Her Life, Faith and the Food She Loved
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Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Remembering Queen Elizabeth, the longest-reigning British monarch. As we mourn the passing of a great leader, we can’t help but reflect on her life, her faith, and even the food she loved. She was a beautiful woman, inside and out, whose gracious life touched us all.
Speaking of food, Queen Elizabeth was known for her love of chocolate. Be sure to find her favorite chocolate cake recipe at the bottom of this post.
Tributes are pouring in on the life of Queen Elizabeth, who ascended the throne when Winston Churchill was prime minister. Since then, she has helped guide a nation through World Wars, challenges, and sweeping change.
Known for her contagious smile and attentive ear, The Wall Street Journal describes Queen Elizabeth as “a symbol of stability in an era of sweeping social and political change.”
“As we mark this anniversary, it gives me pleasure to renew to you the pledge I gave in 1947 that my life will always be devoted to your service.”
Queen Elizabeth: Message on Feb. 6, 2022, to mark the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne.
Queen Elizabeth’s Life
Through 70 years of service, Queen Elizabeth had her husband, Prince Philip, by her side. They were married in November 1947 and became the longest-married royal couple.
The couple shared four children - now King Charles III, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Princess Anne - along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Here a few notable quotes on Queen Elizabeth’s life.
“Despite spending spending nearly three quarters of a century as one of the most famous and admired individuals… the queen made sure her reign was never really about herself– not her fame, not her feelings, not her personal wants or needs.”
— Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
She “led her people with grace, demonstrating what servant-leadership means in principle and in practice.”
— House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy
“Her dignity, graciousness, and sense of duty have been an inspiration.”
— Jimmy Carter
“Throughout her remarkable 70-year reign, she led Britain through great transformation with unfailing grace, dignity, and genuine care for the welfare of its people.”
— Bill Clinton
“I join all who mourn her loss… in paying tribute to her life of service… her example of devotion to duty, her steadfast witness of faith in Jesus Christ and her firm hope in his promises.”
— Pope Francis
Queen Elizabeth’s Faith
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby reflected on not only her life but on her profound faith. He says, “Queen Elizabeth II through times of war and hardship has sustained the nation with her faith in what and who we are called to be.”
He continued to reflect on her steadfast loyalty, service, and humility and how they helped make sense in a world of extraordinary change.
Her trust in God and profound love for God was foundational in how she led her life — hour by hour, day by day.”
Archbishop of canterbury justin welby
The Royal Family says, “The Queen was also buoyed by her Christian faith, often reflecting on the perspective and solace it had brought her, particularly during her annual Christmas Broadcasts.”
In her 2014 Christmas broadcast, Queen Elizabeth described her faith and what it has meant to her. In her own words…
“For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people of whatever faith or none.”
ROYAL.UK
Remembering Queen Elizabeth and the food she loved.
The Telegraph reports that twice a week, Queen Elizabeth would consult a red leather-bound book of menu suggestions from head chef Mark Flanagan. She would check the ideas she liked and draw a line through those she didn’t. Typically, her likes tended to include chocolate or ingredients from her farms.
Flanagan notes that she liked a Sunday roast after church, but she preferred the well-done ends and didn’t like rare.
He also said she loved strawberries and white peaches, tuna salad triangle-shaped finger sandwiches with thin slices of cucumbers, and Jam pennies-buttered bread with jam cut into circles the size of an old English penny.
Darren McGrady, the Queen’s personal chef, says, ” Afternoon tea is a daily fixture and often comes with chocolate perfection pie or chocolate biscuit cake, made with McVitie's Rich Tea biscuits.”
Her love of shortbread is also well-known. I’ve published her favorite Buckingham Palace Shortbread recipe here.
For more of Queen Elizabeth’s Favorite Foods, you may also enjoy reading:
- Queen Elizabeth Afternoon Tea Recipes
- Queen Elizabeth's Drop Scones: A Perfect Teatime Treat
- Easy Victoria Sponge Cake Recipe for Tea
- Taking Afternoon Tea Like the British
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Very well done ,yes the Queen was a wonderful roll model to us all , thank you very much enjoy reading what you put.
Thank you, Cindy!
This post really lovely! Paying respects to The Queen. What a legacy, truly. Love all the recipes you have shared. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much, Ginger! She truly was a legacy we will all miss. Thank you for your kind words!