Kathrine Frich
Donald Trump already caused raised eyebrows earlier this week when he appeared to break royal protocol within moments of meeting King Charles
He briefly poked the monarch during their greeting.
That sense of awkwardness didn’t entirely fade, with fresh attention now turning to what was served at the White House state dinner.
State visit finale
King Charles concluded his US visit on April 30 with a formal state dinner at the White House, amid traditional displays of diplomacy and celebration.
The visit included meetings, public appearances and a speech where the King highlighted NATO, support for Ukraine and the importance of democratic “checks and balances”.
According to LADbible, the evening’s menu was curated by First Lady Melania Trump, showcasing seasonal ingredients and refined dishes.
Guests were served a multi-course meal beginning with a hearts of palm salad and herb velouté.
This was followed by spring herb ravioli made with produce from the White House kitchen garden.
The main course featured Dover sole with brown butter, accompanied by vegetables and layered potatoes.
Dessert was a beehive-shaped chocolate gâteau with vanilla bean crémeux, almond joconde and honey, paired with crème fraîche ice cream.
Chef insight
Former royal chef Darren McGrady told Fox News that the King has well-known culinary preferences, many of which were not reflected in the menu.
“If there’s a cheese course, the King will adore that, as he loves cheese. He also loves honey, grilled vegetables, risottos and especially lamb. There’s incredible lamb here. He would be honoured if there was lamb.”
McGrady added that Charles also favours seasonal produce, including vegetables such as asparagus, spinach and peas.
However, the dessert choice may not have suited the monarch’s tastes.
McGrady said Charles is “not a great lover of chocolate”, making the elaborate gâteau a surprising inclusion.
The former chef suggested this could be seen as a minor oversight, noting that such preferences are typically shared ahead of high-level events.
Despite this, the King is known for enjoying simple, locally sourced food and avoiding waste.
His favourite dish is said to be pheasant crumble pie, while his breakfast often includes muesli, fresh bread, honey and tea.
