Oh, to dine like a royal. And to party like one! What a party it will be. On May 19th, beloved Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle will marry. Following the royal wedding ceremony, the couple has not one, but two receptions planned. Although not all of us can attend such a spectacular event, we can certainly look at the menu and dream, and try not to let our mouths water too much! Say cheers with these very British menu items.
What’s on the menu?
The first reception at St. George’s Hall will be a more formal affair for all 600 guests of the wedding, hosted by none other than the Queen herself. Past menus show a seafood salad appetizer, followed by a heartier meat main and concluded with light dessert as a common coursing for royal weddings.
For example, guests at William and Catherine’s wedding lunch dined on South Uist salmon with Lyme Bay crab and Hebridean langoustines over an herb salad as a first course. The second course was Highland lamb, supplied by Prince Charles’ organic farm. Finally, for dessert, the couple offered a trio of Berkshire honey ice cream, sherry trifle, and chocolate parfait.
Meghan and Harry will most likely choose organic, locally-sourced ingredients for their menu. According to an announcement from Kensington Palace, much of the produce that will be used for the reception has been sourced from farms all over the U.K.—with some produce even coming from Her Majesty’s Estate at Windsor.
Perhaps even an organic roast chicken will make an appearance—the couple was engaged after dining on a roast chicken Prince Harry cooked for Meghan. But you won’t believe what the couple is planning to serve at the after-party!
Casual canapés
For the second reception held at Frogmore house, the atmosphere will be more casual. In 2011, guests at the Queen’s dinner ate 10,000 canapés of British classics. This included confit shoulders of lamb, quail eggs with celery salt, Yorkshire pudding and roast beef, Scottish smoked salmon on beet root blini, and smoked haddock fishcake with pea guacamole.
Although these British traditions will certainly be present, some wonder if Meghan might have some delightful surprises in store. Don’t miss these 8 wedding traditions Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will have to follow.
We dropped in on the Kitchens at Windsor Castle, who will shortly begin final preparations for the #RoyalWedding.
Take a look behind the scenes with Royal Chef Mark Flanagan and his team: https://t.co/91PHLXKv3v pic.twitter.com/2W3w1IhQdh
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 14, 2018
The American influence
Meghan is a self-declared foodie, so it’s safe to say she will definitely have opinions on the menus. There is speculation that her favorite wine Tignanello will make an appearance, so guests can expect plenty of fruity red to be passed around.
Many are also wondering if Meghan will bring some American cuisine into the British landscape—late-night American snacks could be present at the second reception. Perhaps even some California cooking classics will make it across the pond.
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Breaking from tradition
Who gets to bake a royal wedding cake? Pastry chef Claire Ptak, that’s who. Ptak is the owner of Violet Bakery in East-London, but she’s from California, signaling some home-state solidarity with Meghan. The design for the cake has people buzzing—not only because it sounds delicious, but because it will be a huge break in tradition from past royal weddings. Learn all about it here.
Past British royal couples have celebrated their wedding day with towering fruitcakes topped with intricate icing designs. However, Ptak has something different in mind. Her vision is a gorgeous organic lemon and elderflower cake that’s perfect for spring, topped with very nontraditional buttercream frosting and fresh flowers. Don’t be surprised if chocolate truffles make an appearance on the menu, too—Kensington Palace notes that they’re a popular dessert served at functions held at Windsor Castle throughout the year. Want to celebrate like a royal? This lemon chiffon cake recipe is divine.
But whether it’s tuna tartare or bubble and squeak cakes, the menu is sure to be fit for royals, and sure to give us plenty of menu inspiration for our own springtime parties. Next, find out the 11 ways Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding will make history.
