And indeed, when it comes to the British Royal Family, their culinary preferences tend to raise eyebrows. Surprisingly, a new shot of intelligence suggests a few surprising foods that they shun. Garlic, sugar, and foie gras are some of those banished from the royal menu. Queen Camilla has reportedly banned garlic from the royal family’s menu. At the same time, King Charles has spoken out against goose liver foie gras and instituted bans on the food served at royal residences.
Garlic’s pungent aroma is perhaps best known for giving people garlic breath. That is why you won’t see it at royal events. As Queen Camilla candidly confessed, “I hate to say this, but garlic. Garlic is a no-no.” This unapologetic declaration really does underscore just how serious they are about keeping the royals’ dining experience a pleasant one.
King Charles has taken a firm position against foie gras, famously stating, “I just wanted to reassure you that The Prince of Wales has a policy that his chefs should not buy foie gras.” Incorporating this commitment into their home life mirrors his public fighting for animal rights advocacy and the family’s overall thoughtfulness to their dining choices.
Princess Diana had her own dietary preferences when entertaining guests, specifically that she didn’t serve red meat, excluding lamb. In contrast to his ancestor, King Charles III dislikes chocolate and chooses fruit over the sweet. According to former royal chef Darren McGrady, “Charles goes more for the fruity stuff.” This is a great example of Charles’s inclination to seek out healthier options.
Sugar is another ingredient that is especially missing from many royal households, especially when it comes to tea. In opting for honey as a natural sweetener, rather than using sugar or artificial sweeteners, King Charles has made a healthy choice. It’s no secret that the late Queen Elizabeth II had a sweet tooth. She never let her nutrition get out of control. When she ate out by herself, she usually ordered grilled fish or chicken. She balanced these out with lots of vegetables and avoided the starchy carbs—pasta, bread, potatoes.
Shellfish represents a further thorny issue for the Royal Family. Grant Harold, a former royal butler, explained that “when dining, the Royal Family has to be careful with shellfish due to shellfish poisoning. You would hardly ever see this on the royal menu.” This precaution only highlights their scrupulous care in making dining choices.
