King Charles raises price of Christmas lunches again
King Charles III’s beloved Highgrove estate has raised the price of a Christmas dinner to more than £40 for paying guests.
The price of a festive meal has been increased for the third successive year at the monarch’s house and grounds in Gloucestershire.
The rise comes as the turkey-free, vegan-centric menu rolled out in 2022 is again replaced with more traditional Christmas fare.
Heading the mains is turkey ballotine wrapped in smoked bacon, with sage stuffing, roasted seasonal vegetables and braised red cabbage.
Guests were charged £41.50 for two courses this year – up from £39.50 last year and £37.50 the year before.
There is no sign of the turkey-free menu, which included vegan pan-fried roots and chestnut cake as one of the mains.
The other options for this year’s sold-out Christmas lunch are sea bream with roasted new potatoes and creamy white wine and tarragon sauce and a sage, goats cheese and butternut squash tartlet.
A starter of game terrine, served with spiced chutney, a crusty bread roll and salad, is another item giving meat great prominence on the menu.
Heading the desserts section is the Highgrove Christmas Pudding, served with brandy sauce and candied orange.
Pear and almond tart and a Bailey’s and chocolate yule log complete the afters. While the menu denotes vegan and dairy and gluten-free items, the vegan-centric style of two years ago has not made a return.
At that time, the creations included a starter of celeriac and truffle soup, a main of pan-fried roots and a confit pineapple pudding.
His Royal Highness, 76, said the year before that he goes two days each week without meat and one without dairy. The fashion for all things vegan, which was picked up by major retailers, has since ebbed.
While Highgrove’s chefs prepare the dishes, the estate is closely tied to the monarch’s beliefs and vision, with a picture of the crown above the list.
The King’s Foundation has previously spoken of ‘sustainable dishes characteristic of the Cotswolds’ and ‘the rich larder offered by Highgrove Gardens and many brilliant local farmers and producers.’
The festive lunch is being served between November 20 and December 21 in Highgrove’s elegant Orchard Room Restaurant at the king and Queen Camilla’s private residence in Tetbury.
The monarch was at the retreat on Friday for the foundation’s annual Crafts at Christmas event. He spoke of the ‘battle’ to preserve ‘timeless skills’ during the visit organised by the educational charity, which is inspired by his vision and values.
The king and queen are due to spend December 25 with family at Sandringham, their private estate in Norfolk.
Inflation has also hit Christmas festivities in Birmingham, where the price of a regular bratwurst and a pint of beer were 50p each more expensive than last year.
Metro reported how the items cost £6.50 and £7 respectively at the annual Frankfurt market, which ended on December 24.
The rise, at roughly 8%, was an increase more than four times higher than overall inflation in the same period.
Metro has approached Highgrove for comment.
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