Coronation lamb and a toast to the King at Charles’s Highgrove retreat

Guests at King Charles III’s Highgrove Estate will tuck into coronation lamb and crab bonbon at a ‘truly regal’ candlelit dinner tonight. 

Former Royal Harpist Anne Denholm will play at the £185-a-head event on the evening before His Majesty is crowned at Westminster Abbey.  

There is also a nod to Queen Camilla’s previous title, with curried pommes duchesse being used in the lamb dish at the couple’s private residence near Tetbury in Gloucestershire.  

The black tie event is billed as a ‘truly regal evening of elegance and entertainment’, with host Robert Lovie due to add stories and anecdotes to the proceedings. 

A champagne and canapes reception starts the dinner, followed by an ‘amuse-bouche’ of crab bonbon and lovage mayonnaise.

An alternative to the lamb is an ‘around the United Kingdom’ dish of British asparagus, smoked salmon, rarebit hollandaise and soda bread migas.

Sam Robert, head chef for The Prince’s Foundation at Highgrove Gardens, said: ‘When I wrote this menu, I wanted to make it special for guests who will join us, so I tried to define what is the British monarchy.

‘As the name of my dishes suggests, the starter reflects the British Isles, the pudding the Commonwealth, and the main the fusion of continuity and modernity.’

The coronation lamb consists of roast loin with curried pomme duchesse, raisin and caper condiment, curly kale and rosemary jus.

The dessert has a ‘Celebrating the Commonwealth’ heading and consists of confit pineapple in saffron syrup, coconut mousse and sesame tuile.  

Each dish is paired with wine, with a coronation toast planned.

The sold out event is billed as a ‘truly memorable Coronation Eve candlelit dinner’, where guests can ‘celebrate the beauty of music, food and wine in the company of one of the world’s most talented harpists’. 

Diners have also been promised an ‘unforgettable’ experience where they will enjoy a ‘sumptuous four-course dinner prepared by our expert chefs showcasing the finest seasonal ingredients’.

Juliette Crosby, hospitality manager at Highgrove Gardens, said: ‘The evening is all about anticipation for the main event: a relaxed night with a special performance from the former Royal Harpist.

‘As with all of our events here, revenue from ticket sales will be invested in delivery of The Prince’s Foundation’s impactful and often life-changing education and training programmes.

‘We will be raising a toast to the King and wishing him well.’

Despite the relaxed feel to the event, guests will need to be on their best behaviour amid the refined surroundings tucked away in the countryside.

Mobile phones are restricted to certain areas of the estate while smoking and vaping are completely banned.

Highgrove House is not open to the public but the estate hosts events and the gardens are open between April and October every year.

Profits from the sale of products, garden tours and events go towards the work of The Prince’s Foundation charity.

On Saturday, Their Majesties are due to travel from Buckingham Palace in The King’s Procession to Westminster Abbey for the ceremony.  

They will then return to the palace and receive a salute from the UK and Commonwealth Armed Forces who have been on parade.

After the pomp and pageantry, the King may seek to recharge his batteries at the estate, which he has spent four decades transforming into a place of nature and tranquillity.

In a 2014 book about the garden, he said: ‘My enduring hope is that those who visit the garden may find something to inspire, excite, fascinate or soothe them’.

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