The royals are famously fond of decadent feasts and lavish afternoon tea – but while they like to go all out on food, certain items never appear on their plate. Read on to find out the foods that have officially banned the royal table for various reasons.
Chocolate
Queen Elizabeth II may have enjoyed chocolate in a pudding form but it seems her son, King Charles III could not be more unlike his late mother as former royal kitchen head chef, Graham Tinsley MBE revealed that he actually despises the treat!
Hard-boiled eggs
Even eggs don't pass the King's eagle eye; an egg intended for King Charles III's breakfast requires 3 to 4 minutes boiling time to ensure a completely liquid centre. Reports indicate that the King's chefs crack 7 eggs in order to serve the King one, which he refutes because he hates food waste. Instead, his cooks create some creative methods for perfectly cooking his Majesty's eggs.
Whole bananas
Following strict Victorian rules, the foods the Queen would not touch had always existed - it's definitely no more eating with the fingers now though. Those old rules meant that no one can ever eat food by hand except during afternoon tea, and not even burgers. The Queen could even go so far as to not be able to eat a banana with her hands. She would always use a knife and fork to slice her banana before eating.
Offal
People divide between whether they like offal or not, clearly Queen Consort Camilla is on the no end of the scale: "I'm not particularly fond of offal, not unless the liver happens to be exceptionally good," she disclosed in an interview with Your magazine. Although, her royal counterpart, Kate Middleton is quite the opposite and revealed that she adores kidneys during a broadcast: "
Toasted marshmallows
There are few things as satisfying as toasting marshmallows round a fire, but not so with a royal. In 2017, Prince Harry himself stated that he had "never really roasted a marshmallow" and added "too sweet". They are, of course, terribly sticky too and need your hands getting involved which may have been another reason.
Pizza
We can all understand that pizza just doesn't look right if it isn't topped with stringy mozzarella - but according to former royal chef Darren McGrady, Queen Elizabeth never favored the dough. “In the years I worked at [Buckingham] palace, the Queen never had pizza,” he told US magazine Us Weekly. McGrady spent 15 years working as a chef to the royals and he never remembered her enjoying a piece.
Tomato sauce
While you may consider a pasta dish with a coating of tomato sauce a delicious staple, that isn't something that you would encounter on a menu when The Queen of England was on the throne. In fact, during one of Her Majesty's trips to Italy in 2000 (and if you know what's good for you, you will know not to eat a dish of tomato pasta with a white shirt), she apparently requested that the entire menu avoid tomato sauce completely.
Pasta
Former royal chef Darren McGrady said that the Queen did not prefer pasta in the evening as she ate them together with carbs, such as potatoes and rice - she used to eat the pair with fish and game with roasted vegetables for dinner. However, according to him, Her Majesty enjoyed potatoes and pasta on state banquets and other special events.
Non-organic foods
“Britain’s best known organic farmer,” according to The Guardian, in its day, King Charles III lives a lifestyle wholly based on environmentalism and is clearly devoted to organic and organic-focused eating – so much so that he claimed that factory farmed meat is not part of his diet. He’s even carried organic food with him on trips abroad.
Spicy foods
This might also not be quite right, however, if you are not accustomed to eating spicy dishes and your stomach is the more susceptible it might easily upset the stomach of those people, and we know that this is not for the members of royal family of all of us, and to mention Prince William is no good on spice with, he also stated something like this. " I’m not a vindaloo man.”
Oysters
Next up is a food that is quite the talk of town, and another in the Buckingham Palace 'don't eat me' collection is oyster. The royals steer clear of the salt water invertebrates thanks to food poisoning concerns. Charles Oliver, a royal footman, explained in his Dinner at Buckingham Palace book that the Queen and Prince Philip were not fans, and as you can usually slurp them down raw with your hands, it is likely that it is also against one or two other major rules of food that the late Queen set.
FAQ's
Why is shellfish strictly banned from official royal menus?
Shellfish such as oysters, shrimp, and lobster carry a high risk of food poisoning and toxins. Royals avoid them entirely—especially during public duties or international tours—to prevent sudden illness from disrupting their tightly scheduled engagements.
Can senior royals eat foods heavily spiced with garlic?
Garlic is heavily restricted or avoided in royal kitchens. Because members of the family spend hours interacting closely with the public and foreign dignitaries, meals are deliberately planned to prevent lingering bad breath or digestive discomfort.
Why is foie gras absent from all royal residences?
Foie gras has been officially banned across all royal palaces by King Charles III due to strong animal welfare concerns. This prohibition reflects a broader commitment within the household toward ethical eating, sustainability, and humanely sourced ingredients.
Are members of the royal family allowed to order rare steak?
Rare or undercooked meats are typically kept off the menu to eliminate the risk of foodborne illnesses. Palace chefs prioritize food safety, meaning meats are usually cooked thoroughly to ensure the monarch and working royals remain healthy.
Do royals drink local tap water when traveling abroad?
Drinking local tap water is strictly avoided during overseas tours. To protect against unexpected gastrointestinal bugs or waterborne illnesses that could derail a royal tour, staff ensure they only consume safe, trusted beverages.
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