Inside Buckingham Palace, the scent of gin has been as familiar as the royal family itself. In his new book The Royal Insider, former palace butler Paul Burrell recalls that the palace was nicknamed a “gin palace” because drinks flowed nonstop during the 11‑year stint he spent at the royal household. He jokes that the family “smuggled” gin from one end of the building to another just to keep the parties going.
Burrell tells readers that senior staff once ordered him to empty a tonic‑water bottle at night and refill it with gin, while footmen carried electric kettles that were filled with gin rather than water. According to him, the taste of gin was woven into the culture of Buckingham Palace.
The story isn’t limited to Burrell. Royal experts point out the Queen Mother’s wit for a “tipple,” Queen Elizabeth II’s own fondness for gin and Dubonnet, and Princess Margaret’s preference for Famous Grouse whisky. Princess Kate has been spotted enjoying a simple gin and tonic after bedtime for her children, while her mother, Camilla, reports favouring vodka with passion fruit and raspberry liqueur for special occasions. Even the usually health‑conscious King Charles has been spotted sipping a robust Laphroaig scotch, according to former minister Michael Gove.
These anecdotes paint a wide palette of royal drinking habits:
| Royal | Preferred drinks |
|---|---|
| Queen Elizabeth II | Gin, Dubonnet, wine, dry martini, champagne |
| Queen Mother | Gin, Dubonnet |
| Prince Charles | Light cocktail, occasional whisky |
| Princess Kate | Gin and tonic, sometimes sparkling wine |
| Prince William | “One Pint Willy” nickname; normally modest in alcohol |
| Princess Diana | Chablis, peach Bellinis |
| Prince Harry | Green juice in the morning, earlier known for vodka‑based drinks |
A few of the quirks are worth noting. Charles reportedly skips lunch and prefers a light breakfast, but will welcome a late‑night “nightcap” with a glass of Laphroaig when a government minister visits. Prince William, once called “One Pint Willy” by rugby player Mike Tindall, is known to keep his tolerance low—unlike the more generous drinking practices of other royals. Yet he once enjoyed a “kamikaze” shot in his early, more daring days, a mix of vodka, lime, and triple sec.
Princess Diana’s drinking choices were slightly different; she leaned towards white wine, especially Chablis, and often upgraded to peach Bellinis at social events. Her swagger outpaced the strictly protocol‑driven habits of her later family.
The palace’s “gin palace” reputation prompted both laughs and curiosity from reporters. The Sun described Burrell’s “ingenious ways” for smuggling gin from kettle to kettle, while Fox News Digital interviewed royal experts who confirmed that the drinking culture, though secretive, was less a hidden pastime and more a tradition of personal enjoyment within a tight circle.
Today, the royal family continues to be forged by tradition and modernity. Their everyday habits, such as Prince William’s Mid‑night gin and decoction for Kate, or Charles’ early‑breakfast ritual, offer a glimpse into the personalities that shape the monarchy. And while the palace’s gin stories may have started as gossip, they remind us that even those steeped in protocol have simple pleasures—be it a cup of tea, a glass of wine, or a fine scotch.
For those who wish to experience the royal world beyond the palace gates, it helps to remember that the monarch’s drinks are as much part of their charm as the Crown jewels. From the whispers of gin in the halls of Buckingham Palace to the dry martinis served at state banquets, the royal family’s tasting menu continues to intrigue fans worldwide.
Source: New York Post
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