Our longtime world partnership with Carolyn Robb, previously then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s executive chef for 13 decades, has enriched guests’ travels in the United kingdom throughout distinctive shows crammed with driving-the-scenes stories (and recipes). It is been one month because the passing of Queen Elizabeth, and we’re honored to share with you Carolyn’s individual, heartfelt reflections.
Wednesday night (September 7th 2022), all through a cheerful Tauck England, Scotland & Wales tour farewell dinner, I talked at duration to the team about my previous manager, Prince Charles, and why, in the fullness of time, I realized he would make a fantastic King. Considerably less than 24 several hours afterwards His Majesty King Charles III ascended to the throne. Even as stunning bouquets are laid in terrific swathes in every corner of the region, by individuals shelling out their respects to our late Queen, it even now someway looks surreal and inconceivable that our 1 ‘constant’ about the past 70 years, is no more time with us.
Throughout my remarkable 13 decades as a Royal chef, I was massively privileged to satisfy The Queen on numerous instances each one so unforgettable in its have way. Through my to start with couple months at Kensington Palace, when I was cooking for TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and their kids, I accompanied them to Windsor Castle, exactly where they had been signing up for the yearly Royal Household Xmas accumulating. On Christmas morning, (the one working day in the 12 months when I experienced assumed that the Queen would not undertake any ‘duties’) I was stunned to be known as to just one of the drawing rooms in the castle, along with all the other customers of staff members who had been on responsibility that day. Her Majesty shook every of us by the hand, stated a couple of text and handed out fantastically wrapped items. I was thrilled with the beautiful lavender soap that she kindly gave me, but that paled into insignificance in contrast to the gift of her time. Her phrases to me have been warm, engaging and humorous and most notably, it was an ‘un-rushed’ conversation, inspite of there being a area full of persons for her to ‘get through’ prior to she could chill out and get pleasure from the day’s festivities with her loved ones. She commented on the reality that I was doing the job on Christmas day I desire I experienced had the presence of intellect at the time to request her if she ever, at any time gave herself a ‘day off’.
I consider I know what the reply would have been.