Tom Parker Bowles, son of Queen Camilla and a renowned food writer, has released a new cookbook titled Cooking and the Crown, exploring royal dining from Queen Victoria to King Charles III. The book highlights the culinary habits of King Charles and Queen Camilla, offering a glimpse into the royal family’s personal tastes.
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In a recent interview on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, Tom described his mother as a ‘grafter’ who hasn’t changed despite becoming Queen. He also shared anecdotes about the royal couple’s love of mushrooms and their foraging trips in Scotland. However, one of the most intriguing revelations from Tom concerns a strict dining rule King Charles enforces in the royal household.
King Charles’ ban on waste in the royal household
One of the key practices that King Charles has instilled in the royal household is a complete ban on food waste, reports Mirror. Tom revealed that the monarch is a staunch advocate for sustainability, who ‘appalls waste’ and insists that nothing from mealtimes is thrown away.
Instead, leftovers are repurposed for future meals, and all packaging is diligently recycled. The 49-year-old said:
There is no waste, everything is recycled, everything is used from the table. If anything is leftover from the dinner, that will be made into something else or appear the next day. Nothing's allowed to be thrown out.
His dedication to reducing waste extends beyond the household, with the King leading initiatives like The Coronation Food Project, launched last year to combat food insecurity and minimise waste. Tom added:
It's not the King just paying lip service, he practises what he preaches.
He also lauded the monarch — who made changes to the royal menu last year — for his deep knowledge of food, including his enthusiasm for growing and preserving unusual fruit varieties. He said:
He really is a food hero. To talk to him about the strange varieties of plums or pears or anything else is endlessly fascinating.
Clearing up misconceptions about Queen Camilla
In addition to discussing the King’s environmental efforts, Tom has also addressed public misconceptions about his mother, Queen Camilla, particularly regarding her alleged drinking and smoking habits. In an interview with The Times, Parker Bowles dispelled common myths about his mother’s lifestyle, which have been perpetuated by media portrayals.
Notably, the popular Netflix series The Crownhas often depicted Camilla with a cigarette in hand or indulging in alcohol. The publication also brought up the Channel 4 show The Windsors— a soap opera reimagining the Royal Family.
However, according to Tom, these portrayals are far from the truth. Speaking of his mother, he said:
Oh, you know she has that reputation of drinking gin and smoking?... [she has] Never drunk a glass of gin in her life. Doesn’t smoke.
He added that the depiction of his mother in pop culture is ‘totally inaccurate’, reports US Weekly. He added:
My mother hardly drinks. [I have] Never seen her so much as tipsy.
Tom emphasised that while Camilla might enjoy the occasional glass of wine, she is far from the party-loving figure some people imagine.
Read more:
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Sources used:
Mirror: Queen Camilla's son reveals her no-nonsense secret to dealing with personal problems
InStyle: Queen Camilla’s Son Dispelled Rumors About Her Drinking and Smoking
US Weekly: Tom Parker Bowles Dispels Mom Camilla’s ‘Reputation of Drinking Gin and Smoking’
