Duke of Edinburgh tries his brother’s Coronation Quiche at Westminster Abbey 

The Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith has given her stamp of approval to the coronation quiche, judging the dish to be ‘absolutely delicious’.

The chef and TV presenter became one of the first people to try the official coronation pastry at a special Big Lunch at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday, attended by faith leaders from across the country.

Hosted by the Dean of Westminster, the outdoor event was organised to inspire people to organise their own celebratory events, showing how food can bring together people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Tens of thousands of street parties are expected to be held during the coronation weekend, with people encouraged to come together across the country for the Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday May 7.

The coronation quiche, made with spinach, broad bean and tarragon, had been baked in the Buckingham Palace kitchen and was transported by the Duke of Edinburgh to the Abbey to share with faith leaders.

A Big Lunch ambassador, Dame Prue, 83, praised the dish for being ‘seasonal’.

‘The quiche was absolutely delicious,’ she said. ‘There was no soggy bottom, the custard was not overcooked and dry, and the balance of tarragon was perfect – a really good quiche.

‘Quiche is universal. Even cold, if the ingredients are right and the pastry is nice and buttery, it will taste great.

‘I remember when quiche Lorraine was something very special 60 years ago. It is still one of the best pastries to make.’

The quiche recipe was chosen by the King and Queen Consort because it works as a sharing dish, can be served hot or cold, suits a wide range of dietary requirements and can be easily adapted to suit different tastes.

The palace also said it tasted delicious and had the benefit of not being too complicated nor requiring costly or hard-to-source ingredients.

As the Duke of Edinburgh cut Dame Prue a slice of the quiche, he joked: ‘We’re not going to do a bake off’.

She replied: ‘It better taste as good as it sounds.’

After sitting down for lunch with faith leaders from across the UK, Dame Prue hailed the ability of food to bring communities together.

‘Food is not just about nutrition,’ she said.

‘It’s the glue that sticks families together, it is how you make friends, and it’s the thing that allows you to talk to each other.’

She praised the variety of cuisines that are available in Britain and said not being a good cook should not be an obstacle to organising a Big Lunch celebration.

‘If you remember what happened at the Queen’s Jubilee, people really were out in the streets and there were tables full of every kind of national dish you could think of. That’s what Britain’s supposed to be about.

‘The whole point of this lunch is community and talking to other people. If cooking stresses you out, don’t do it. You can always walk around the supermarket and collect lots of delicious things.’

Dame Prue said her own coronation plans involve cooking a salmon wrapped in puff pastry and shaped ‘like the King’s head on a stamp’.

Dean of Westminster Dr David Hoyle said he hopes events like the Big Lunch and the coronation celebrations can help to ‘bridge’ differences in our ‘divided society’.

He said: ‘At the moment we’re quite good at noticing our differences and shouting about them.

‘We are a divided society. We need moments like this to remind us of that feeling of affection, that feeling that we can enjoy one another’s company.

‘The coronation is a moment when nations and Commonwealth can celebrate a shared history and imagine what renewed loyalties might achieve. It is a moment of celebration, but it is also a time to focus on the bonds of affection that bridge all difference.’

Dr Hoyle described the coronation as a ‘turning point in our national life’ and ‘one of those moments when you step onto the stage of history’.

As for his personal plans for the day of the coronation on May 6, he said: ‘I promise you there’ll be a party in the evening.’

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who attended the lunch, said: ‘When we share a meal, we see how much we have in common with others.

‘The diversity of our country – with all its different cultures and religious communities – is one of our great strengths. So, my sincere wish is that everyone will enjoy the Coronation Big Lunch: have fun, relax, celebrate, reach out to your neighbours and make new friends.’

The Big Lunch is a community celebration run by the Eden Project and funded by the National Lottery. It takes place annually in June, but has been moved to May this year to coincide with the coronation.

Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, said: ‘In Britain we’re always quite reserved, and we confuse our reserve for being hostile. But in fact, under the surface most people are really nice.

‘Community isn’t dead, just under the surface. Most people are good. And what they want are excuses to come together. Events like the Big Lunch are simply an excuse for us to bring out the best of what’s already there.’

He appeared in high spirits, linking arms with other guests as they posed for a photo.

Edward and Sophie, previously the Countess and Earl of Wessex, were given their new titles in February, some six months after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September.

The pair had earlier this month attended the Easter Sunday service alongside other royals.

Edward trying the Coronation quiche comes as more details continue to be revealed about the upcoming festivities next month.

On the entertainment side, Katy Perry, Take That, Lionel Richie and global opera star Andrea Bocelli are signed up to appear at the event in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Other names unveiled by the BBC include Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, and singer Freya Ridings who will perform a duet with producer and musician Alexis Ffrench.

Some 20,000 members of the public will attend the Coronation Concert on Sunday, May 7, which will be aired on BBC1 and Radio 2 along with catch-up services.

The concert has been billed as ‘celebrating a new chapter in the nation’s history’ and will have ‘themes of love, respect and optimism’ while celebrating the ‘four nations’ and the Commonwealth. 

It comes as reports claim that Prince William has no plans to reunite with his younger brother when the Duke of Sussex visits the UK for the King’s Coronation.

Royal analysts revealed that Harry, 38, had a heartfelt talk with his father on Saturday in an attempt to ease tensions, but has not addressed the ongoing dispute with William.

It is also understood that there will be no time for the pair to meet during Harry’s trip for the May 6 event, The Sun reported.

Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty Magazine, told the newspaper that the royals all have ‘really tight schedules’ and she thinks Harry addressing his relationship with William is ‘for another time’.

The royal analyst noted it would be ‘nice’ for Harry to ‘stick around and be friendly’. However, it is understood that the Duke’s solo trip across the pond will be short.

‘Out of politeness you’d think Harry would want to mingle with his family no matter how difficult that might be for him,’ she said.

Ms Seward added that she is ‘glad’ Harry has spoken with Charles because it has ‘eased the path to rapprochement’.

She said: ‘Charles will welcome his son. I think his relationship with William is for another time.’ 

William, 40, and Harry will see each other during the Coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6.

This is understood to be the first time the pair will face each other since Harry released his memoir, Spare, in January – which saw him brand his brother as his ‘arch-nemesis’.

Harry has also publicly called on his family to apologise to himself and Meghan for what they see as slights.

Charles is said to be very pleased his youngest son is coming and his mood is described as ‘generally quite forgiving’, however, the Prince of Wales is understood to still feel betrayed and angry, particularly by the revelations in the memoirs. 

Sources have recently alleged the ‘gulf’ between the brothers, who were once as close as siblings could be, is now so large they cannot see how their relationship can ever be repaired. 

It is also reportedly unlikely that the pair will have a sit down – which insiders have previously claimed that Harry demanded.

William had no contact with his brother when he came over with Meghan and the children for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year.

And the brothers barely spoke at her funeral later in the year, meeting briefly when William invited him and Meghan to join him and Kate to meet the public and view the flowers outside Windsor Castle.