“This chocolate biscuit cake is Her Royal Majesty the Queen’s favourite afternoon tea cake by far,” chef Darren McGrady, The Royal Chef and former personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II, told TODAY Food. “This cake is probably the only one that is sent into the royal dining room again and again until it has all gone.”

“It is her favourite cake that she eats until it is all gone,” says McCrady. “If there is anything left when she has it at Buckingham Palace, it then goes to Windsor Castle, so she can finish it there. I used to travel on the train from London to Windsor Castle with the biscuit cake in a tin on my knee. It was half eaten.”

There’s another member of the royal family who is a fan of this cake too: “This chocolate biscuit cake was Prince William’s groom’s cake at his wedding. The reason he chose it is that he used to go to tea with the Queen and he got a taste for it. That is when he started liking it.”

The rich dark chocolate cake has a lovely crunchy texture thanks to the addition of classic English cookies called “Rich tea biscuits”. A layer of decadent chocolate frosting is the perfect finishing touch.

Komplett angol nyelvtan rendszerező videókurzus

39,900Ft

20 alkalmas TEMATIKUS SZÓKINCSFEJLESZTŐ videókurzus Szalai Nórival

34,900Ft

Általános üzleti/munkahelyi angol videókurzus

30,900Ft

Ingredients:

CAKE

– ½ teaspoon butter, for greasing the pan

– 200gr Rich tea biscuits or sweet cookies

– 100gr unsalted butter, softened

– 100gr granulated sugar

– 100gr dark chocolate

– 1 egg

ICING

– 200gr dark chocolate, for coating

– 25gr chocolate, for decoration

Preparation:

1. Lightly grease a 15 cm x 6 cm cake ring with the butter and place on a tray on a sheet of parchment paper.

2. Break each of the biscuits into almond size pieces by hand and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, combine the butter and sugar until the mixture starts to lighten.

4. Melt the 100 gr of the dark chocolate and add to the butter mixture, stirring constantly.

5. Add the egg and beat to combine.

6. Fold in the biscuit pieces until they are all coated with the chocolate mixture.

7. Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake ring. Try to fill all of the gaps on the bottom of the ring because this will be the top when it is un-moulded.

8. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

9. Remove the cake from the refrigerator and let it stand.

10. Meanwhile, melt the 200gr of dark chocolate in a saucepan on the stove top over low heat. Slide the ring off the cake and turn it upside down onto a cake wire.

11. Pour the melted chocolate over the cake and smooth the top and sides using a palette knife.

12. Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature.

13. Carefully run a knife around the bottom of the cake where the chocolate has stuck it to the cake wire and lift it onto a tea plate.

14. Melt the remaining 25gr of chocolate and use to decorate the top of the cake.

Courtesy of Chef Darren McGrady, The Royal Chef.

source: theroyalchef.com 

Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne longer than any monarch. At the grand age of 94, Elizabeth Windsor has managed to amass a seriously impressive collection of royal artifacts, but her interesting possessions don’t end there.

Did you know that the Crown holds the right to all of the dolphins in the United Kingdom, or that Liz is the proud owner of every single swan on the River Thames? It doesn’t stop there, either. Read on to see what Queen Elizabeth II has hidden in her gilded closet.

1. All the Swans on the River Thames

While the Queen was born in 1926, her right to own all the swans floating on the River Thames dates way back to the 15th Century. The Queen is only concerned about the ones on the Thames, though.

Hundreds of years ago, this would’ve been one of the Royal Family’s most impressive portfolios, as swans used to be a delicacy for high-class Brits back in the day. Today, thankfully, this is no longer the case. In fact, the Queen conducts an annual count of all the swans to make sure their numbers are still strong.

2. A Team of Racehorses

Horse racing has long since been a prized tradition in Britain. Her Majesty first co-owned a racing horse in the 1940s with her mother but has since gone on to own several winning stallions.

All in all, the Queen has won over 451 races and accumulated a fortune of $9 million from her prized horses.

Horses, of course, have been a longtime tradition for many royal family members. Elizabeth began riding as a child (even receiving her first horse when she was four), and continues regularly riding even to this day.

3. A Bat Colony

Out of all the things Her Majesty owns, from designer handbags to sprawling palaces, one of her favorite things is a bat colony that set up home in the main hall at Balmoral Castle. In 2019 reports surfaced that Elizabeth had found a new hobby that could have easily been inspired by the likes of the Discovery Channel.

The winged creatures set up camp in the main hall at the Aberdeenshire estate, but instead of leaving it to the help to sort out, Elizabeth was actively involved. She reportedly enjoyed catching them in butterfly nets.

While the Queen’s royal employees regularly capture (and releases) the bats from the castle, the staff has been instructed to actually keep the windows to the home open – so that the bats can re-enter the estate at their leisure, and the game of catch can continue.

4. The World’s Largest Clear-Cut Diamond

The Queen is the proud protector of the Great Star of Africa, a 530.2-carat diamond that is crystal clear and exquisitely rare.

The diamond was first presented to Mary of Teck in 1910 before being used as part of the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross which each monarch holds as part of their coronation. As big and as beautiful as it is, the diamond is rarely seen as it’s part of the Crown jewels.

Dubbed the Cullinan Diamond (after Thomas Cullinan, who chaired the mining firm that discovered it), the original stone took great effort to cut and split. But in the end, the original diamond delivered nine stunning stones that collectively add an incredible fortune to the Queen’s wealth.

5. A Pair of Dorgis

Since ascending the throne, the Queen has famously owned more than thirty adorable Corgis. But did you know she also owns Dorgis? After the last of her purebred Corgis passed away, the Queen now owns just two Dorgis: Vulcan and Willow, who she has had since 2012. The pups have a very privileged life. They even have their own room in the palace, called the Corgi Room.

The Queen even makes them special stockings at Christmastime, filling them with personalized toys and treats. When they die, the dogs are buried at the Royal Estate where they lived.  

Update: In 2018 Her Majesty lost Willow, the last descendant of her original corgi, Susan, the dog she received on her 18th birthday in 1944. This December Vulcan is reported to have died at Windsor Castle, leaving the British monarch with just one remaining dog — another dorgi, named Candy.

6. All the Dolphins in the United Kingdom

Not only does the Queen own the whales and dolphins, but she’s also the proud owner of any porpoises.

This certainly fits the Queen’s profile as an active animal lover. While she may not get to visit all those British porpoises as often as her swans and bats, many Royal confidants have suggested in the past that Elizabeth holds a special place in her heart for dolphins.

7. Two Black Jaguars

The Queen owns two very rare black jaguar cats. They were given to her as a gift from the Prefect of Brazil. The jaguars are named Aizita and Marques, and they reside in the London Zoo, along with the other exotic animals that the queen has been gifted. The jaguars were gifted in 1968, along with a pet sloth named after the Queen.

The elusive black jaguar is the rarest of all panthers. Only 600 exist in the wild because of hunting and habitat destruction. Only six percent of all jaguars are black, and they are found in dense vegetation.

Due to the incredibly delicate nature of their needed ecosystems, a team of round-the-clock vets and animal experts are on payroll to make sure these two jaguars stay happy and healthy. But rest assured, these might be the rarest animals in the Queen’s collection of exotic animals.

8. Offshore Wind Farm

Not many people realize that the Crown actually owns several different renewable energy projects, including Kent’s Thanet Offshore Wind Farm. Her Majesty owns the British seabed, meaning anything erected on it is automatically hers. The wind farm popped up in 2010 and is situated just a few miles off of the coast.

9. 200 Launer Handbags

Queen Elizabeth II can afford to buy whatever handbags she likes. Instead, Liz prefers London-based designer Launer. Her mother first gifted her one back in the 1950s, kicking off a lifelong obsession.

She can often be seen with one of the purses nestled against her hip. In fact, the Queen has seemingly gone out of her way to immortalize her love of Launer bags. In some of her most famous, iconic photographs – including her meetings with American presidents like Clinton and Nixon – she can be seen with one at her side.

10. Henry VIII’s Armor

As the lucky owner of the entire Royal Collection, Queen Elizabeth II owns a specially designed suit of armor that once belonged to Henry VIII. The armor dates back to the 1540s when Henry was starting to pack on a few extra pounds. As the king grew, so did the armor.

It was eventually widened to fit the king as he descended into ill-health and obesity in his old age.

11. A Private ATM

Instead of sending out a butler with her card, the Queen just has to pop down into her basement to withdraw cash, although she rarely needs it anyway. It’s not known when Coutts installed the ATM into the London-based residence, but the machine itself likely cost about $8,000 – not including the money inside it.

12. Two Tortoises From The Seychelles

The Queen was presented with two giant Aldabra tortoises when she visited the Seychelles back in 1972. They didn’t move in with her at Buckingham Palace but instead went to London Zoo.

One tortoise in particular (Jonathan) is an astonishing 188 years old – nearly breaking the current Guinness World record. His health hit a snag in 2015, but thankfully the Queen’s loyal vets were able to correct course with a solid plant-based diet. Jonathan has, however, been blind since birth – but thankfully he doesn’t seem to mind one bit!

13. An Extra Birthday

Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday is April 21st. However, she also gets another birthday on the second Saturday in June.

The second birthday safeguards the annual outdoor parade; so if it’s raining on April 21st, the outdoor celebration for her birthday gets moved to June. This tradition dates back to the reign of King George II. British monarchs’ birthdays are a big deal that no one wants to miss due to the weather. Sadly, in 2020, the Queen’s birthdays are both cancelled because of the pandemic.

14. Corgi Socks by Corgi Hosiery Ltd.

Corgi Hosiery Ltd. was granted a Royal Warrant by the Prince of Wales II in 1989, though she has likely been wearing their socks for much longer. The Queen owns a pair of Corgi-patterned socks made by Corgi Hosiery. Her socks cost $23 a pair. Top-line socks from Corgi, such as a hand-knit, Prince of Wales pair, cost $209.

Corgi Hosiery uses old-fashioned machinery in making its socks, whether it is making them from cotton or cashmere. Prince George owns a jumper from Corgi Hosiery. The company owns rare, centuries-old Griswold machines. The knitwear is all hand-framed—even the intricate intarsia designs.

15. Well-Stocked Liquor Cabinet

Queen Elizabeth II keeps a well-stocked liquor cabinet. One of her favorite drinks appears to be Bloody Marys. She granted Big Tom, a maker of spiced, organic tomato juice, a Royal Warrant in 2002. Her other favorite drinks include Bollinger Champagne, Krug Champagne, Champagne Lanson, Portuguese Mateus Rose, and German Hock.

source: These Are The Most Expensive Things Queen Elizabeth II Owns, Investing.com and CNN (2020)

A cikk elolvasása utána próbáld megtalálni az egyes mondatoknál a 3 opcióból azt az egyet, amelyik NEM igaz a cikkben olvasottak alapján.

‘I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.’ – stated the then 21-year-old Princess Elizabeth in a radio speech to the nation of Great Britain and the Commonwealth and she has been true to her words ever since. She has been the longest-reigning monarch in British history surpassing Queen Victoria whose reign lasted 63 years, 226 days, 16 hours and 13 minutes. Queen Elizabeth II became Queen when she was 25 years old on February 6, 1952, and has been on the throne for 70 years. Great Britain and the British celebrated her Platinum Jubilee for four days in June with pomp and circumstance.

A lasting legacy

Queen Elizabeth II turned 96 on 21st April 2022. Her name is well known and respected all over the world and the majority of her nation adores her. She has witnessed triumphs and tragedies throughout her long life and reign and successfully adapted to a rapidly changing world from her young years when there was no TV to the digital age of the Internet. The Queen’s image adorns billions of coins, banknotes and stamps and many cities, institutions, and even ships have been named after her. Her wax figure is on exhibit at Madame Tussaud’s and a Barbie doll was made in her likeness. Her influence and inspiration are far-reaching, and she has definitely earned every ounce of love and respect she received during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

A remarkable woman

Despite being one of the best known ladies in the world, she is extremely courteous and respectful toward others. She is nearly never late for anything or anyone, no matter what their position is. She considers tardiness to be a sign of disrespect. This deep respect for her employees is manifested in the way she treats them. They are not her “servants,” and she never calls them when they are not on duty since she values their privacy and family life. She has 1,200 employees, but she feeds her own dogs. She has an incredible memory for details and a great deal of compassion for individuals. She exudes a serene authority and a type of calmness that distinguishes her, and she frequently expresses her faith in God. She’s a woman who has spent virtually her whole life looking in two ways. Her attention is drawn upwards to God and below to her people.

Although she never attended university, she has served as an adviser and confidante to several British Prime Ministers. She puts in a lot of effort and is dedicated to helping others. She loves the countryside, as well as her dogs and horses. When Elizabeth was a kid, King George VI her father brought home a corgi from a local kennel and she christened him Dookie. More than 30 corgis have been cared for by the Queen over the course of her life after Dookie.

Her patronages and charities address a wide range of problems, from youth chances to wildlife and environmental protection. The Queen balances all of her responsibilities with a full personal life that includes having raised four children and welcoming grandchildren and great-grandchildren into the Royal Family.

Her outfits and hats are always colourful and stylish. She wears bright colours to stand out in big crowds. She needs to stand out for people to be able to say ‘I saw the Queen’.

A cikk folytatását a nyomtatott havi 5 Perc Angol Magazin 2022 júliusi számában találod! 

ELŐFIZETEK A MAGAZINRA: ITT

 

👑 Her Majesty.
🐻 Paddington Bear.
🥪 Marmalade sandwiches.
🎸 Playing we will rock you with spoons.

Being British is brilliant. 🇬🇧#PlatinumPartyAtThePalace pic.twitter.com/bmdQ8ZAC0l

— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) June 4, 2022

Queen Elizabeth Reveals What’s in Her Famous Handbag

The Queen didn’t attend the Platinum Party at the Palace, but she did open up the event with a fun pre-recorded sketch.

Queen Elizabeth kicked off the Platinum Party at the Palace on Saturday by teaming up with another British icon: Paddington Bear!

In a pre-recorded skit that aired for attendees at the celebratory concert at Buckingham Palace in London, the Queen showed off her comedy and acting chops while hosting the beloved character for tea. After Paddington thanks the monarch for having him during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Queen asks, “Tea?”

Paddington drinks straight from the teapot, leaving only a few drips for the Queen — but she calmly responds, “Never mind.”

“Perhaps you would like a marmalade sandwich,” Paddington offers, pulling one out of his hat. “I always keep one for emergencies.”

“So do I. I keep mine in here,” the Queen says, pulling a sandwich out of her trusty handbag, an accessory that she’s rarely seen without. “For later.”

The equerry looks out the Buckingham Palace windows and lets the Queen know that the party is about to begin.

“Happy Jubilee, Ma’am,” Paddington says. “And thank you…for everything.” The Queen replies, “That’s very kind.”

Of the lighthearted sketch, a palace spokesman said: “Her Majesty is well known for her sense of humour, so it should be no surprise that she decided to take part in tonight’s sketch. There was an interest in the filming and animation process and the opportunity to invite a famous bear to tea was just too much fun to miss.”

Outside, drummers start playing the famous beginning of Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” Queen Elizabeth and Paddington join in by clinking their spoons against the tea cups.

Queen + Adam Lambert opened up the concert, which will star a number of recognizable performers, with Diana Ross set to helm the finale.

This isn’t the first time Paddington Bear has met with royalty. In 2017, a costumed character danced with Kate Middleton as she appeared at the bear’s namesake train station in London alongside Prince William and Prince Harry.

The skit was no doubt a hit with Prince George, 8, and Princess Charlotte, 7, who attended the Platinum Party at the palace alongside parents Kate and Prince William as well as other members of the royal family.

This isn’t Queen Elizabeth’s first time acting. At the opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics in London, the monarch appeared in a sketch alongside Daniel Craig as James Bond.

Here’s why she has two birthdays, and you only get one

Happy birthday to the Queen! On 21^st of April Her Majesty celebrated her actual birthday (as opposed to her official birthday, which falls in June). Here’s a complete guide to why we celebrate her birthday twice each year.

So the Queen gets two birthdays? Yep. Her Majesty was born on April 21, 1926 and she turned 93 this year. She will celebrate her official birthday on June 14.

Why does she get two? It’s tradition – the sovereign is given two birthdays if their birth date is not in the summer. This is because there will be a better chance of good weather for the birthday parade, called Trooping the Colour, which is a ceremony performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies.

Have other kings and queens done this? Yes. All British monarchs have been given the option of having two birthdays since 1748. Edward VII, whose birthday fell in November, did it too.

Does she get presents? And cake? Well, we don’t know. The Queen celebrates her actual birthday in private (although last year she spent the day at the races) but we like to think she tucks into a very regal slice of birthday cake on occasion. At midday on April 21, she gets a 41 gun salute in Hyde Park, a 21 gun salute in Windsor Great Park and a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London.

So surely this is a national holiday. Do we get a day off? No, but you’re welcome to toast her if you like. Some places in the Commonwealth (such as Australia and New Zealand) get a public holiday on her official birthday, but we’re not so lucky.

source: www.metro.co.uk

to celebrate – ünnepelni
as opposed to – valamivel ellentétben
official – hivatalos
Her Majesty – Őfelsége
sovereign – uralkodó
a chance of – esély valamire
parade – parádé, felvonulás
regiment – ezred
the Commonwealth – Brit Nemzetközösség
the option of – valaminek a lehetősége
although – habár
the races (horserace) – lóverseny
to tuck into – bekebelez, jó étvággyal eszik
gun salute – díszsortűz
to toast someone – valakinek az egészégére inni, pohárköszöntőt mondani 

True or false?

1. The Queen was born in the summer.

2. Her Majesty celebrates her birthday in private.

3. The Queen’s official birthday is held in June.

4. The Queen’s birthday is a national holiday in the United Kingdom.

5. She is the first British Queen to have two birthdays.

Answers: 1-F 2-T 3-T 4-F 5-F