We’ve heard a lot about the fave foods of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Her fave scones. Her fave birthday cake. Now we’re starting to hear about King Charles’ dietary preferences. The first such ‘insider report’ I’ve seen just surfaced on Huffpost UK…
King Charles at Tea.
Sing a song of sixpence, a pocket full of rye
Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie
When the pie was opened the birds began to sing
Wasn’t that a dainty dish to set before a king? *
Not, apparently, for King Charles III. We’ll explain in a moment…
You can read the whole, detail-packed story from Huffpost UK, as reposted here. But it’s really heavy going – like overcooked oatmeal. So I’ll reprise the high points – salted with my own sage observations…
Who is the monarch, personally?
King Charles III is considered one of the hardest-working Royals. He made more than 500 official appearance in 2019 alone. Of course, his track record was all messed up by the COVID Crisis. But he is reported to be more or less back on pace now. With a schedule like that, you know he’s intimately aware of his diet and exercise needs.
The world has known for some time now that Charles is deeply concerned about the state of nature, in particular the disappearance of species and the effects of climate change. He’s been involved in a variety of agricultural development projects – an endevour that has largely taken over his country estates. So, it’s clear that he’s interested in what’s going on in the greater foodsphere.
Some critics have sniped at Charles, characterizing him as a dilettante and a Victorian ‘gentleman farmer’. Not a serious sort who should be trusted with running the Realm. But he’s proven them wrong!
General observations
The HPUK story stresses that His Majesty follows a largely-vegetarian diet. But not totally. “For years I haven’t eaten meat and fish on two days a week,” The King told BBC in 2021. “And I don’t eat dairy products on one day a week.”
The King is wants to dine on organic foods whenever possible, favouring ingredients that come from his own estates.
Charles customarily breakfasts on a salad of seasonal fruits, seeds and tea.
His preferred tea is Darjeeling. With honey and milk.
He does not eat lunch at all. However, a former insider told The Mirror, the King does take a break about 1 pm. every day for a walk outdoors.
He does take Tea. At 5 o’clock, the King stops for a nosh of sandwiches and fruitcake.
The menu for the King’s evening meal is a reflection of his interest in food and agriculture. Royal beat journalist Russell Myers told ITV, the monarch’s favourite meal is, “wild mushroom risotto with organic lamb.”
One dining issue on which Charles agrees with his late mother: You’ll never find garlic anywhere on the royal menu.
My take
Yes. I’m an unabashed fan of the King. I felt badly for him when he was forced into that arranged marriage with Dianna Spencer. I felt badly about how the tabloids demonized him and – for a while, there – his entire family over their apparent friction with Dianna. I always enjoy Charles’ fondness for Canada, where he went to prep school and spent many summer holidays. And I’m glad His Majesty has settled down with his true love, Camilla.
I’m also glad to see he has not softened his stance on the major issues bearing on the future of humanity. Everything he believes in – from the environment, to sustainability to the plant-based future – proves he’s a king for the 2000s. Would that the politicians, industrialists and ultra-wealthy will see fit to live up to his example.
~ Maggie J.
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