King Charles Break Coronation Traditions

As the world eagerly awaits King Charles III's coronation, preparations for the event have been in full swing, including culinary preparations. The traditional coronation pie, made with lamprey, has been a delicacy for over 800 years, but it seems that King Charles is breaking from tradition with his coronation pie.

The Protein of Old: Lamprey

Most coronation pies are made with chicken, but the lamprey, also known as the vampire fish, has been the traditional protein used in the pie for centuries. This jawless fish is known for its parasitic behavior, using its ragged circle of teeth to latch on and suck the blood of other aquatic animals. While the thought of eating lamprey may be too horrifying for some, it has been an enduring tradition from Queen Elizabeth I to Queen Elizabeth II.



Endangered Lamprey No More

However, times have changed, and so has the coronation pie. King Charles has been a longtime advocate for environmental conservation and has spoken against over-fishing. With the lamprey now endangered in England, the pork pie was chosen as a more sustainable alternative. Lord-Lieutenant Edward Gillespie, who presented the pie to the king's representative in Gloucester, England, stated, "It would be inappropriate in these times to present lampreys to anybody."

A Vegetarian Quiche for the King

In fact, King Charles' official coronation recipe was a vegetarian quiche enriched with fava beans and cheese. While pork is not vegetarian, it is certainly more sustainable than lamprey. The lamprey-shaped pastry decorations on the pork pie were a nod to its historical origins, and although one fell off prior to serving, the crowd did not seem to mind.

A Tasty Alternative

While some may view the lack of lamprey pie as a departure from tradition, it is a reflection of King Charles' environmentalist philosophy. As lamprey has a flavor and texture more akin to slow-cooked beef than seafood, pork felt more of a taste-appropriate swap. Gloucester officials hope that with King Charles focusing on sustainability, one day the lamprey can make a resurgence and return to the menus of England. Until then, pork seems a tasty enough alternative for coronation revelers.