Queen Victoria and Princess Kate share an irresistible passion for curry. This traditional dish from the north of Italy has brought at least a little cheer to royal tables for centuries. This link further illustrates how foods go beyond time and custom to connect us through the British crown and its modern-day successors.
Queen Victoria’s long and tempestuous love affair with curry may have started in 1887 when she first encountered Abdul Karim at her Golden Jubilee celebrations. After their introduction, he whisked us down into the ship’s galley and cooked us a lavish Indian feast of chicken curry, daal and fragrant pilau rice. In her diary, she reflected her enjoyment of the experience. She noted, “I had very good curry made by one of my Indian servants.” This dinner was only the start of an important history between Queen Victoria and Indian cuisine.
Curry’s popularity in England can be traced back to the late Georgian period, but it gained royal prominence through Queen Victoria’s appreciation. As British food historian Annie Gray reminds us, curry de poulet first showed up on the menu at Windsor Castle four decades before the Queen’s reign even began. This marks the latest demonstration of royal enthusiasm for the dish.
Fast forward to today, and Princess Kate is following in those footsteps and upholding the tradition as she talks about her love for spicy foods, particularly curries. As model Neelam Gill recalled from a call with Kate, you could feel her passion for Indian food. Gill remembered hearing, “told me she loved Indian food, so I said you’ll be okay with the spices. This love of culinary hotness is quite different from her husband, Prince William, who cannot handle spice as it is allegedly ‘too hot’ for his palate.
Further, the personal tastes of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reflect this royal love of curry. The couple chose the celebrity chef Clare Smyth to handle wedding-day banquets—understandable, considering her experience making food fit for a royal. It turns out the spicy fare that his daughter and wife adore haven’t been cutting it for Prince Harry either.
The curry Kate Middleton would have encountered growing up are totally unlike the ones you’re familiar with today. They had a more distinctly fruity focus and in-your-face, turmeric-forward flavor. This is indicative of the culinary palate evolution over generations, but still pays respect to the established flavors.
