Top 24+ foods King Charles and other British royals refuse to eat

No royal seal of approval

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

The British royal family has always been known for elaborate banquets and extravagant afternoon teas – but there are some foods and drinks you won't ever catch them indulging in. Whether it’s due to protocol, personal preference or avoiding food poisoning, these are the foods you'll never find on a royal menu. 

Click or scroll our gallery to discover the foods and drinks you won't find King Charles III or any of the royal family trying, counting down to the most avoided of all. 

We've based our ranking on the reported foods and drinks the royal family avoid the most, and on the opinions of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.

24. Chocolate

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

Queen Elizabeth II may have been partial to a chocolatey dessert, but according to former royal kitchen manager Graham Tinsley MBE, her son King Charles III is quite the opposite. In fact, he's said to dislike it entirely. The royal chefs make sure they consider all of the King’s food likes and dislikes when creating menus for him.  

23. Hard-boiled eggs

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

King Charles III is particular when it comes to eggs; his breakfast egg must be boiled for three to four minutes to guarantee a perfectly runny yolk. It has been claimed that the King's cooks prepare seven eggs for him each morning, of which he eats only one, but his Majesty has debunked this myth as he despises food waste. Instead, chefs have devised ways to cook the King's eggs with exacting precision – which may involve security personnel radioing the kitchen with his ETA. 

22. Whole bananas

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

Influenced by Victorian etiquette, there were certain foods Queen Elizabeth II wouldn’t indulge in – and this was certainly the case when it came to those that involved eating with the hands. According to these old-fashioned rules, aside from afternoon tea, all foods must be eaten using cutlery, including burgers – and even bananas. Instead of biting into a banana whole, she would peel and slice it with a knife and fork. 

21. Offal

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

Offal does tend to be a food people love or hate. Queen Consort Camilla falls into the latter category. She revealed in an interview with You magazine that she isn’t a fan, unless it’s a very good liver. Kate Middleton is apparently the exact opposite, revealing in an interview that she loves kidneys.

20. Toasted marshmallows

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

There are few greater pleasures than toasting marshmallows around a campfire, but that isn’t the case for one royal. In 2017, Prince Harry revealed that he had never, in fact, toasted a marshmallow, as he finds them too sweet for his taste buds. They’re also incredibly sticky and require hands to be involved so that might also have something to do with it.

19. Pizza

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

It’s hard to imagine never devouring a pizza oozing with melty mozzarella – and yet, former royal chef Darren McGrady revealed Queen Elizabeth II never ate pizza. “In the years that I cooked at [Buckingham] palace, the Queen never had pizza,” he told American magazine Us Weekly. He worked as a chef for the royal family for 15 years and never once saw her indulge in a slice. Princes William and Harry, however, loved the stuff and would request it regularly growing up.

18. Bell peppers

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

Known for their slightly sweet, mild flavour, bell peppers form the base of many dishes, from smoky fajitas to stir-fries – and yet, it’s an ingredient you won’t find Queen Consort Camilla eating any of. In an interview with You magazine about her favourite foods, the royal revealed that she “can’t bear peppers, raw or cooked".

17. Tomato sauce

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

While a bowl of pasta coated in tomato sauce might be a favourite for many, you wouldn't find it on menus during Queen Elizabeth II's reign. It was reported in 2000 that the Queen requested a tomato sauce–free menu during a trip to Italy (if you've ever eaten tomato pasta while wearing a white shirt, you'll understand). 

16. Wrong-temperature biscuits

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

Brits are known to take their biscuits very seriously – and King Charles III is no different. A connoisseur of the sweet delicacy, he even went as far as founding the brand Duchy Originals, known for its oaty biscuits, in 1990. A royal source confirmed that he's rather particular about how his biscuits are served and will only eat biscuits that have been warmed to an exact temperature – anything other than this, and he won't eat them. 

15. White eggs

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

The late Queen preferred brown eggs over white, according to British newspaper The Guardian. The colour of eggs is determined by the breed of hen that lays them, whereas the flavour has more to do with the hen's environment and diet. Brown eggs tend to be more expensive because of the quality of the food the hens are given. 

14. Pasta

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

According to former royal chef Darren McGrady, Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t a pasta fan in the evening, and she tended to avoid it altogether, along with other carbs like potatoes and rice. Instead, she preferred fish or game with roasted vegetables for dinner, plus some fruit for pudding. The late Queen only indulged in potatoes, rice and pasta during state banquets or on special occasions.

13. Swan

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

Swan used to be a delicacy at banquets and feasts, which likely contributed to a decline in the waterbird's population. Of course, it’s now illegal to eat them. However, ancient law decrees that all swans in the UK belong to the monarch, so King Charles III is technically exempt from this rule. If he wished to dine on a swan, he could – but it’s highly unlikely that he would.

12. Non-organic foods

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

Once called ‘Britain’s best known organic farmer’ by The Guardian, King Charles III champions organic food and takes immense pride in his environmentally conscious eating habits. The King previously stated that he doesn’t eat meat from factory farms, and he’s even been known to take his organic food with him on tours overseas. If you ever get an invite to the palace, expect the finest quality organic produce.

11. Spicy foods

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

If you’re not used to having spicy food, it could easily upset your stomach, which is something the royals try to avoid. Prince William has also revealed in an interview that he’s no good at handling spice, saying: "I'm not a vindaloo man, put it that way." However, the Princess of Wales is known to be fond of spicy curries.

10. Oysters

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

Another crowd-dividing food that’s off the menu in Buckingham Palace is oysters. The royal family tend to avoid the seawater molluscs due to the risk of food poisoning. Royal footman Charles Oliver confirmed in his book Dinner at Buckingham Palace that Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip disliked them, too. As the food is commonly eaten raw and with the hands, oysters break several of the late Queen’s food rules. 

9. Unfamiliar foods

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

The royals are advised to steer clear of foods that may give them an upset stomach or that they may dislike, to avoid inadvertently offending their hosts. There have, of course, been exceptions to this rule – but the palace always briefs its hosts on these conditions to avoid any potential issues. The BBC once reported that Queen Elizabeth II avoided any food that was 'too spicy or exotic' during her travels.

8. Foie gras

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

Given King Charles III’s passion for animal welfare and organic farming, it comes as no surprise that this controversial goose liver pâté has no place in the royal kitchens. Due to concerns regarding animal cruelty, the production of foie gras is illegal in the UK, though it can be imported. In 2008, the then Prince Charles even went as far as banning it from being served in all royal residences.

7. Raw or rare meat

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

No steak tartare for the royals! The family tends to stay away from foods that are more likely to cause food poisoning, including raw meat, during official royal visits. Cooking meat thoroughly is one of the best ways to eliminate bacteria. To every chef’s dismay, Queen Elizabeth II apparently liked her steaks and roast beef well-done.

6. Out-of-season fruit

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

Former royal chef Darren McGrady revealed that the late Queen was insistent that all fruit and vegetables served from the royal kitchens should be in season, as part of the royal family's sustainable approach to eating. "You can send strawberries every day to the Queen during summer at Balmoral and she’ll never say a word,” McGrady said in an interview with RecipesPlus. “Try including strawberries on the menu in January, and she’ll scrub out the line and say don’t dare send me genetically modified strawberries.”

5. Square sandwiches

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

While the royal family love an extravagant afternoon tea, you won’t find just any shape of sandwiches being served in Buckingham Palace. This is due to an age-old superstition that says anyone presenting the royal family with square, pointed-edged food was trying to overthrow the throne of England, as former royal chef Graham Newbould explained in a Channel 5 TV documentary, Secrets of the Royal Kitchen. Instead, you’ll find the royals delighting in rectangular sandwiches, usually with the crusts taken off.

4. Onions

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

Similar to other pungent foods, onions are largely never eaten by royals due to their strong smell and taste. Former royal chef Darren McGrady revealed in an interview with Heart Bingo that the allium was rarely used in royal kitchens during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. It was, however, used in small quantities, but never in a way that it could be tasted – and it certainly wasn’t ever served raw.

3. Non-bottled water

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

Still, sparkling or tap? The royals are known to drink only British bottled water, whether they’re travelling across the world on official trips or staying at home. The main reason is to ensure the water is safe to drink, avoiding any potential illnesses while aboard. The preferred bottle of choice is Hildon Natural Mineral Water, which is so popular with the family that it’s received a Royal Warrant. 

2. Seafood

24. Chocolate, 23. Hard-boiled eggs, 22. Whole bananas, 21. Offal, 20. Toasted marshmallows, 19. Pizza, 18. Bell peppers, 17. Tomato sauce, 16. Wrong-temperature biscuits, 15. White eggs, 14. Pasta, 13. Swan, 12. Non-organic foods, 11. Spicy foods, 10. Oysters, 9. Unfamiliar foods, 8. Foie gras, 7. Raw or rare meat, 6. Out-of-season fruit, 5. Square sandwiches, 4. Onions, 3. Non-bottled water, 2. Seafood

Given the frequency of the royals’ official visits, it makes sense that they tend to steer clear of indulging in seafood and shellfish when travelling. There have been certain occasions where this rule has been broken, but a former butler of King Charles III revealed that seafood is generally avoided due to the potential for food poisoning.

Post Related