What ingredient is not allowed on any British royal menu?
Matthew Wilson
Updated on January 14, 2026
Garlic is an ingredient that appears in almost every meal—except the royal's. In an interview with the Express, Darren McGrady, the royal chef at Buckingham Palace, revealed that royal family members are prohibited from eating garlic.
What foods are not allowed at royal dinners?
Next time you're tempted to marry a royal, remember these facts. In some respects, it makes sense that the royal family must follow intense rules. Like, take the reported no-selfies-allowed restriction.What spice is off limits on any royal menu?
During an appearance on MasterChef Australia (via Glamour), Camilla Parker Bowles, wife to Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall, revealed that "garlic is a no-no," and explained that the royals are told to "lay off the garlic" since they are so often required to converse with other dignitaries and members of the ...Why can't British royals eat garlic?
While it's no secret that both garlic and onions are delicious, we all also know what they can do to someone's breath. According to Delish, the royal family avoids them because they are always meeting and talking with people, and want to make sure their breath doesn't smell bad.Why is pasta and salmon not allowed at royal dinners?
The royal family very rarely eat pasta. In fact, it's only really served on special occasions or at dinner parties. Apparently, it's all to do with it being too starchy and filling, and the Queen's simply not into that.Really Weird Rules The Royals Have About Food
Does the Queen eat chocolate?
"She is absolutely a chocoholic," McGrady told Hello! magazine in 2016. "Anything we put on the menu that had chocolate on, she would choose, especially chocolate perfection pie [a layered chocolate pie with white and dark chocolate and chocolate shavings]."Does the Queen eat crisps?
The Queen. Yes, the Queen gets the occasional takeaway! According to The Sun, the monarch is rather partial to fish and chips and sometimes treats herself to dinner from the local chippy when staying at Balmoral. A footman is reportedly sent to pick up her meal from nearby town Ballater.Does the Queen eat ice cream?
Eating an apple at a royal banquet isn't easy!Darren reveals how at Buckingham Palace, her Majesty eats a course of dessert fruit after her pudding, which is what we know to be sweet foods like tarts, mousses and ice cream.
Does the Queen eat onions?
Garlic and onions are banned from the royal table. Despite being the key ingredients to lots of tasty dishes, the Queen reportedly loathes them. Plus, it's considered poor manners to have unpleasant breath when meeting new people.What does the Queen never eat?
Rare meat. The Queen is reportedly not a fan of rare meat - according to former royal chef Darren McGrady, she likes her meat well done. Royals are also prohibited from eating foods containing raw meat such as steak tartare when on official engagements to avoid food poisoning.Why does the Queen not eat garlic?
Multiple media reports suggest that the real reason why such a rule is abided by, by the royal family is that the royal family has to meet a lot of people. They talk, chat, and meet people and so, to avoid the possibility of a bad breath, the royal family members are not allowed to eat garlic or onions.What are the royals not allowed to do?
This might seem strange, but the royal family and politics don't mix. They don't vote, they are not supposed to express political opinions, and they are also not permitted to run for office of any kind. All royals avoid eating shellfish, since it's the seafood that's most likely to cause food poisoning.Can royals eat spicy food?
Spicy or 'exotic' foodsIn 2000, the BBC revealed that the royal entourage is banned from eating "any food that is too spicy or exotic." There is a risk they won't like it or it might make them ill. The Queen, for example, is said to despise spicy foods.
Can British royals eat seafood?
Seafood. Reportedly, the royals are banned from eating seafood, particularly while on royal tours, in order to avoid the risk of getting food poisoning.What tea did Queen Elizabeth drink?
HRH The Queen - Earl GreyDarren says: “Royal sources have previously come forward and spoken of how Earl Grey tea is The Queen's favourite hot drink. “Psychological research suggests that people who enjoy Earl Grey tea are linked to class and are mature in their personality.