The 15 Untold Truths of How the Royal Family Eats

If a member of the Royal family feels a bit peckish, they can’t just have whatever they fancy. Yep, there are rules about what they can and can’t eat and drink – they’re not allowed to drink tap water, for instance.

Read on to find out what other strange Royal food rules and preferences there are!

1. Shellfish is forbidden

The Royal family aren’t allowed to indulge in lobster, crab, prawns etc., simply because there’s too much risk of food poisoning, and if you have a busy engagements calendar like the Royals have, you can’t afford to be out of action due to food-borne illnesses. The senior members of the family are also forbidden from eating meats cooked rare for the same reason, although Prince Charles has been known to break this rule on occasion!

2. No tap water, either

Most of us don’t drink the local tap water when we go abroad, and it’s no different for the Royal family either. It’s probably not surprising that tap water makes the banned list, when you consider that it can be full of bacteria and parasites that can cause all manner of nasty illnesses.

3. No garlic allowed

Garlic is notably absent from royal menus, primarily because Queen Elizabeth II disliked its strong aroma and taste.  According to John Higgins, a former palace chef, garlic and onions were to be kept to a minimum at lunch or dinner. People have theorized that the garlic ban is to prevent garlic breath from making an embarrassing appearance when the Royals talk to guests.

4. The Royals like to eat healthily

The family don’t indulge in unhealthy foods very often, according to former chef Darren McGrady. The Queen and Prince Philip eat very healthily, and McGrady says Prince Charles ate organic food before it even became fashionable to do so. Charles and Diana stuck to a healthy diet and mostly ate foods made from entirely freshly-made ingredients.

5. The Queen wasn’t all that bothered about food

Despite the grandeur of state banquets and royal receptions, Queen Elizabeth II was famously modest when it came to her personal meals. According to former royal chefs like Darren McGrady, who cooked for her for over a decade, the Queen preferred plain, unfussy food when dining privately.

• Favorite Meals: One of her go-to meals was grilled Dover sole with wilted spinach or courgettes. She also enjoyed simple dishes like scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, and she reportedly had a fondness for Kellogg’s Special K cereal.
• Consistency Over Indulgence: Unlike many who enjoy trying new cuisines or trends, the Queen preferred routine and familiar flavors. She often ate the same meals repeatedly, finding comfort in their predictability.
• No Frills Dining: When dining alone, she sometimes opted for a simple plate of grilled fish with vegetables—a meal reflecting her health-conscious approach and no-nonsense palate.

This preference for simplicity extended beyond food to her overall lifestyle. While she was the head of the monarchy, she often favored restraint and tradition over extravagance.

6. No Starches at Lunch

Queen Elizabeth’s lunch was typically light and carbohydrate-free, as part of her effort to maintain energy and focus throughout the day.

• What She Ate: According to insiders like Chef McGrady, her lunch would usually consist of grilled fish or chicken with two servings of vegetables. Potatoes, rice, and pasta were rarely, if ever, included in her midday meals.
• Why No Starch?: The decision to skip starchy carbs wasn’t just personal preference—it was also about staying alert and avoiding sluggishness during her busy schedule filled with meetings, events, and official duties.
• Occasional Exceptions: On rare occasions or during social events, she might have indulged slightly, but generally, her discipline was notable. If she did enjoy carbs, it was more likely during afternoon tea or dinner.

This selective approach to food highlights her disciplined mindset, especially when it came to balancing health with the demands of her role.

7. Mousse and mangoes are popular

Queen Elizabeth II had a fondness for chocolate mousse and mangoes. She was so particular about mangoes that she reportedly kept track of how many were stored in the palace kitchens at any given time.

8. Most of their food is homegrown

The majority of the ingredients used in the Royal kitchens comes from their own estates. Carolyn Robb, who was Charles and Diana’s personal chef, says that they enjoyed eating game that Charles had hunted personally, and they also grew their own fruit and veg for daily meals.

9. They keep leftovers to eat the next day

Sustainability is key in royal kitchens. Leftovers are often repurposed into new dishes. For example, leftover roast lamb might be transformed into shepherd's pie the following day.

10. Kate Middleton still cooks herself

Most family members have their own personal chefs, but at the moment Kate and Prince William don’t have one. They still have a relatively small household staff, which means that they tend to fend for themselves, and Kate handles the cooking.

Carolyn Robb says that as Kate comes from a relatively normal background and is used to cooking for herself, it’s nothing out of the ordinary for her. Apparently, Prince William also enjoys the novelty of eating together like a normal family.

11. King Charles III's Eggs Must Be Precise

King Charles III is particular about his eggs, insisting they be boiled for exactly four minutes. To accommodate this, his staff would prepare multiple pans of boiling water to ensure perfection.

12. Dining Etiquette: Follow the Monarch's Lead

During formal events, no one begins eating until the monarch does.

13. Conversation is another point of etiquette

At formal dinners, the monarch traditionally speaks to the guest seated on their right during the first course, then to the guest on their left during the second course. This structured approach to conversation ensures all guests receive attention.

14. Even the corgis eat well

The animals on the Royal estates eat as well as the humans. Royal chef Owen Hodgson says he once simmered rabbit and cooked chicken into a fine terrine, which ended up being fed to the Queen’s corgis.

Darren McGrady says that when he started working in the kitchens, one of his early jobs was to peel the carrots for the Queen’s horses perfectly! The staff knew that if a horse bit the Queen’s fingers accidentally because the carrot wasn’t long enough, the blame would come down on them.

15. The Queen's Handbag Sent Subtle Signals

Queen Elizabeth II used her handbag to communicate discreetly with her staff. Placing it on the table signaled a desire to end the event within five minutes, while placing it on the floor indicated she wasn't enjoying the conversation and wished to be rescued. ​