Queen Elizabeth Eats This Same Breakfast Cereal Every Day

The royal family is all over the media, but only rarely do members go on record on matters relating to the humdrum details of their daily lives. When they do, it's almost invariably in the form of carefully-curated talking points, according to Phil Harrison, author of "The Age of Static: How TV Explains Modern Britain," who told Associated Press, "The story of the royal family is a constructed narrative." This is especially true for older members of the royal family who may have personally known the late Queen Mother, who is the one who first coined the unofficial royal family credo regarding media coverage: "Never complain and never explain" (via Sydney Morning Herald).

Notable exceptions include Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, who scandalized other members of the royal family via her interview with Oprah Winfrey (via Vanity Fair) and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, who scandalized the royals in numerous interviews, including the one with journalist Martin Bashir, in which she said her marriage had been "a bit crowded" (via Independent). But when it comes to the eating habits of the royal family, even Meghan Markle appears to have adopted a "cone of silence" since marrying Prince Harry (we do know what Meghan Markle typically eats, but largely as a result of our sleuthing efforts). 

Accordingly, as much as we wish we could hear Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II discussing her favorite breakfast cereal, it appears we'll have to settle for hearing about it from her former personal chef.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II handles the media with preternatural skill, balancing the "mystery" the royal family has long regarded as essential (via Sydney Morning Herald) with brief but well-curated glimpses into the details of her day-to-day life (via the AP). For example, Queen Elizabeth revealed she'd been vaccinated against COVID-19, but she also let it be known that it didn't hurt a bit and didn't identify which vaccine she had chosen (via YouTube). Accordingly, it's not likely she'll go on record about her favorite breakfast, but it has been confirmed by at least two credible sources that Her Majesty is not just a fan of cold cereal, but that she eats the same breakfast cereal each day. In 2017, McGrady told Marie Clare that his recollection is that "Breakfast was very simple for Her Majesty. Some Kellogg's cereal from a plastic container, which she'd serve herself." But to which Kellogg's cereal is McGrady referring?

It appears that while Queen Elizabeth may be a fan of Kellogg's Special K (via The Telegraph), her heart belongs to Corn Flakes, according to her longtime biographer, Brian Hoey, who told People that "Elizabeth wakes up at 7:30 a.m., listens to BBC radio, and then drinks a cup of Twining's English breakfast tea (with milk only) as she digs into a bowl of Corn Flakes. And yes, they're the real deal made by Kellogg's, which is an official supplier to the palace" (via Delish).