Queen Elizabeth II loved family picnics as rare private time away from royal duties

Queen Elizabeth II cherished family picnics as a way to carve out private time with her children away from the demands of royal life. Former Royal Butler Grant Harrold has shed light on the late monarch's fondness for the tradition, speaking on behalf of Smooth Spins Casino.

"Picnics were a massive thing for the late Queen," Harrold said. "She loved her picnics, and you can imagine the picnics come in different variations."

From hampers to formal spreads

Harrold described the range of picnic styles the Queen enjoyed, from relaxed, informal gatherings to more elaborate outdoor affairs. Her Majesty loved everything from a meal together "with the hamper and travel rug" to "the posher picnics where they all go out somewhere and there's tables and there's chairs."

The logistics involved considerable behind-the-scenes effort from royal household staff. "The chefs prepared all the food, the butlers would load everything into the vehicles, and off they would go," Harrold recalled.

Private time for the family

Despite the preparation involved, staff stepped back once the family arrived at their destination. Harrold noted that staff "would go and help lay out the tables, but we wouldn't serve the food. It would all just get put out and they would help themselves."

That deliberate withdrawal was central to the appeal of the outings for the Queen. "There was no staff, so it was a great chance for them to have private time as a family," Harrold added.