Dumfries House: The King's Foundation dining experience

Diners are to be given the chance to experience an 18th century feast in the King’s favourite room at the stately home.

King Charles, founder of The King's Foundation, whose headquarters are at Dumfries House, takes most of his evening meals in the Pink Dining Room while staying at the estate.

Now, a new private dining experience has opened up, allowing members of the public the opportunity to enjoy a three-course meal, authentic to the 1700s and served by a traditional butler, in the royal chamber.

Dine like the King. (Image: PA) The candlelit, dining experience is available on selected dates and costs from £375 per person.

The room is said to be the best preserved in the mansion, which was saved for the nation in 2007 by a consortium led by Charles as the Prince of Wales.

The King is a particular fan of the pink-tinted rococo plasterwork on the walls and ceiling, inspired by the Roman ruins of Palmyra in Syria.

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Guests will eat at the King’s table – unfortunately not in the presence of the monarch – beneath the 35kg Murano glass floral chandelier, which was painstakingly reassembled after being found in the basement in more than 100 pieces nearly 20 years ago.

Menus will be based on 18th century dishes, such as poached salmon, fish soup, and manchet bread for starters, followed by roasted venison and beef, parmentier potatoes and a juniper sauce, and lemon and pistachio syllabub, bread and butter pudding, and apple and almond trifle for dessert.

Evan Samson, who leads the front of house team at Dumfries House, said: “For a select number of guests, the 18th century dining experience will be authentic to the 1700s, with traditional butler service, including the meal being served ‘family-style’, and a menu researched and prepared by our chefs that reflects the culinary fashions typical of country houses in that age.”

More information can be found at dumfries-house.org.uk.