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British Royals

If you think your pre Christmas cooking is a nightmare, Queen Camilla’s just sorted out meals for 500 in a castle

By
3rd December 2025
Queen Camilla wears a green dress with a pearl choker necklace and diamond brooch as she inspects a State Banquet at Windsor Castle

The State Banquet for the President of Germany will be a royal spectacular with guests entertained in St. George’s Hall in Windsor Castle under the spectacular setting of a giant Christmas tree covered in thousands of sparkling lights as well as gold and green baubles. But behind the spectacle is a lot of work and royal insiders have revealed that Queen Camilla takes charge of getting this major event ready.

Ahead of any State Banquet, a menu has to be decided and frozen pizza all round isn’t an option. Instead, the focus is on showcasing the best of British produce and creating a menu centred on seasonal food. And before the chefs in the kitchens at Windsor can start cooking, they need sign off from The Queen.

A soldier talks to King Charles
Queen Camilla and King Charles are hosting the President of Germany on a State Visit at Windsor
(Cpl Danielle Dawson/ UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025)

In a video shared on the official royal social media, chef Mark Flanagan spoke about the prep for State Banquets and revealed that ”for the banquet we will make choices and suggestions and Their Majesties make the ultimate decisions.”

Mark Flanagan also confirmed that on day one of a State Visit, the kitchens at Windsor produce 500 meals with Queen Camilla involved in the menus for all of them.

Guests will dine beneath a huge Christmas tree that now dominates St. George’s Hall
(Royal Collection Trust)

It’s also usual to see The Queen making final checks on the tables ahead of the State Banquet starting. Queen Camilla always inspects the flowers and settings before guests arrive.

This State Banquet will be particularly impressive as it’s taking place just after St. George’s Hall has been decorated for Christmas. As well as the huge tree, there are festive garlands strung around the medieval hall whose roof bears the crests of many members of the Order of the Garter.

The Princess of Wales wears a blue coat
The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to join The King and Queen at the State Banquet
(Cpl Danielle Dawson/ UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025)

King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, to Windsor for a State Visit on the morning of December 3 2025 with a ceremony in the Quadrangle which included an inspection of a Guard of Honour.

The King and Queen had arrived there in a carriage procession which was also joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales who had met the President and his wife, Elke Budenbender, at Heathrow and accompanied them to Windsor.

The State Banquet will be a high point of the three day State Visit which is designed to cement ties between the UK and Germany.

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About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.