The British royal family has always fascinated people worldwide. From glamorous royal weddings and historic ceremonies to Netflix series and Princess Diana’s timeless fashion, fans are eager to know more about the royals, especially what life behind palace doors looks like. While many aspects of their daily routines remain private, some culinary preferences have been revealed over the years.
For example, Princess Diana was known to enjoy simple and healthy dishes like overnight oats, and Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation dish became a British classic. Now, with King Charles III on the throne, fans are equally curious about his tastes. It turns out, his favorite breakfast is surprisingly simple yet undeniably refined: Cheesy Baked Eggs.
About five years ago, Clarence House shared the recipe on social media, and former royal chef Darren McGrady later demonstrated it on his YouTube channel. McGrady explained that while Queen Elizabeth loved rich, dark chocolate, King Charles’ true love is cheese. “He could live on cheese, he absolutely loves it, and he also loves eggs,” McGrady revealed. This dish combines those passions into a perfectly baked breakfast that looks elegant yet is easy enough to make at home.
McGrady uses three cheeses for this dish, Cornish Brie, English Red Leicester, and Montgomery Cheddar, but any Brie and a good matured Cheddar will work beautifully. He pairs the cheeses with wilted spinach, chopped heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and prosciutto for a touch of Italian flair. The result is a creamy, cheesy breakfast that’s fit for a king.
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup fresh spinach, wilted
- ½ cup chopped heirloom tomatoes
- 2–3 slices prosciutto (or cooked bacon)
- 2 tbsp Brie, sliced
- 2 tbsp Cheddar or Red Leicester, shredded
- 2 tbsp Gruyère or Montgomery Cheddar, shredded
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, torn
- Olive oil for sautéing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). - Wilt the Spinach
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a pan. Add fresh spinach and stir just until wilted. Avoid overcooking, as it will bake further in the oven. - Prepare the Baking Dish
Use a small baking dish for individual servings. There’s no need to grease it, as the spinach already contains olive oil. - Layer the Ingredients
Spread the spinach across the bottom of the dish, making a small well in the center for the egg. Top with chopped tomatoes, basil, and prosciutto pieces, keeping the well clear. - Add the Egg and Cheese
Crack one egg into the well. Sprinkle Brie, Cheddar, and Gruyère evenly over the vegetables and egg. - Pour the Cream
Carefully drizzle cream over the top, avoiding the egg yolk to prevent it from splitting. - Bake the Dish
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the egg whites are set but the yolk is still slightly runny. - Cool and Serve
Let the dish rest for 2 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra basil if desired.
This dish is creamy, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying, making it easy to see why King Charles loves it so much. It’s a perfect breakfast for a special occasion or a weekend treat at home, proof that royalty doesn’t have to mean complicated cooking.
