Queen Elizabeth II traditionally abstained from requesting culinary recipes, but she showed an uncommon fondness for this rich dessert, making an exception to the rule.

Queen Elizabeth II's and Prince William's Love for Chocolate: A Royal Affair

In the world of royal desserts, two chocolate treats have stood out as favourites for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William. Let's delve into the sweet stories behind Queen Elizabeth II's preferred dessert, Chocolate Marquise, and Prince William's favourite, Chocolate Biscuit Cake.

During a trip to Australia, Queen Elizabeth II was introduced to the decadent dessert known as Chocolate Marquise. This rich and creamy chocolate mousse quickly became a popular choice for the monarch, especially when she had surprise guests. The recipe, first published in 1954, is called "Queen Elizabeth II's Chocolate Marquise."

While Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed Chocolate Marquise, her fondness for chocolate-based treats was not limited to this dessert. Her chefs often prepared chocolate-based dishes when she was invited for dinner. In fact, the Queen was often referred to as a "chocoholic" by Darren McGrady, a former royal chef.

On the other hand, Prince William's sweet tooth leans towards Chocolate Biscuit Cake. This afternoon tea staple, made with sugar, chocolate, butter, and broken-up biscuits, was Queen Elizabeth II's favourite as well. Interestingly, Darren McGrady's recipe for Chocolate Biscuit Cake differs slightly from the one shared by the Royal Collection Trust. A layer of either melted chocolate or chocolate ganache is smoothed over the set Chocolate Biscuit Cake before it's ready for serving.

Prince William requested this chocolatey treat for his and Kate's wedding, and it was indeed the main sweet centrepiece. The eight-tier fruit cake by Fiona Cairns and her team took the spotlight, but Chocolate Biscuit Cake held a special place in the royal wedding's dessert selection.

Queen Elizabeth II also asked her chefs to prepare and serve Chocolate Marquise to her guests at the Palace. The dessert's popularity extended beyond the royal family, as it was a common choice for state banquets and other formal events.

For those interested in learning more about Queen Elizabeth II's life, "Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait" by Gyles Brandreth offers an in-depth look. This Sunday Times best-seller features additional photographs and exclusive material about King Charles's coronation.

Darren McGrady, in his own book, offers recipes for both Chocolate Marquise and Chocolate Biscuit Cake. He suggests serving Chocolate Marquise with a bit of fruit or coffee Crème Anglaise, while Chocolate Biscuit Cake can be served as is or with a dollop of whipped cream.

Whether it's Chocolate Marquise or Chocolate Biscuit Cake, these royal favourites are a testament to the enduring love for chocolate in the British royal family.

Queen Elizabeth II traditionally abstained from requesting culinary recipes, but she showed an uncommon fondness for this rich dessert, making an exception to the rule.