Tabasco gift spices up queen's jubilee

NEW IBERIA — The McIlhenny Co. got in on the pomp and circumstance of Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee by sending the monarch a sterling silver Tabasco sauce holder.

The Daily Iberian reports company chairman and CEO Paul McIlhenny said it's rare the company sends such gifts to royalty, but he thought the Queen's 60 years on the British throne deserved a present.

Elizabeth came to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952 on the death of her father King George VI. Her coronation took place in June 1953.

Though McIlhenny didn't know which flavor hot sauce the queen prefers, he was confident the royal family has used Tabasco products for a long time.

He guessed the original red sauce is in the palace pantry.