It may come as a surprise to some (and totally predictable to others) that the British Royals aren’t exactly adventurous folks when it comes to their official menu. The sun may never set on the British Empire but it turns out, despite having colonies across the globe, the House of Windsor’s list of banned foods shows off the family’s true colours – mainly beige. Here is a list of food items you’ll rarely see in the King’s Court.
In a surprisingly tasteful move, Queen Lizzie, rest her soul, wouldn’t allow her kitchen team to order fresh truffles. Despite her own fondness of the fungi, former palace chef Darren McGrady revealed that the late Queen’s frugality meant that truffles were only enjoyed around Christmas when they were sent as gifts to the family. How very of the people.
It may seem contradictory to our ideas of little square cucumber sandwiches and high tea, but royal tradition dictates that sandwiches with points are seen as a threat to overthrow the monarchy. Royal sandos are generally circular so everyone can keep their heads.
When on royal tours and attending royal duties, the whole family is made to steer clear of shellfish to avoid any risk of food poisoning. While a bout of food poisoning is possible from just about any dish if not handled correctly, anyone who’s eaten a dodgy oyster knows that the only throne they’ll be visiting is the porcelain variety.
In a similar vein, rare and raw meat was banned under the rule of Queen Elizabeth. She preferred her meat to be served well done because of course she did, and was wary of any dishes that could increase the risk of food poisoning.
It’s generally seen as good practice not to accept drinks from strangers, especially if you haven’t seen them being poured. To avoid drink spiking, King Charles and his Mrs travel with their own alcohol. Reporter Gordon Rayner, who attends royal tours frequently, says that the couple’s bodyguards carry a bag of red wine for Camilla, and gin and tonic water for Charles.
Garlic should be measured with your heart and consumed with gusto, except, of course, on first dates and at royal meetings. A packed social schedule means that minty fresh breath should be present at all times, and as such, garlic has been nixed from the agenda. When she was Queen, Elizabeth banned garlic at nearly all royal events, and Charlie is following in those footsteps. Camilla told Masterchef Australia contestants back in 2018 that while garlic at a royal party wasn’t banned, she certainly wouldn’t recommend it.
King Charles has spent decades of his life advocating for animals and the environment. He rarely consumes meat, and when he does it’s usually fish. So it makes sense that his hardline stance on foie gras extends to the palace kitchens. Clarence House deputy master, Andrew Farquharson, told the Daily Mail that before taking the throne, King Charlies instated a “policy that his chefs should not buy foie gras”.
