Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton must comply with many traditional values set forth by the monarchy as they perform their royal duties. Surprisingly, even their food choices are carefully monitored. Are you aware that there are just some foods that royals cannot eat? Believe it or not, both Markle and Middleton are forbidden to consume certain items of food when they are either with other members of the royal family or on the road.
”Working members of the royal family have to follow a strict list of etiquette guidelines that affect their wardrobes, behavior and even what they can eat,” the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker Bowles stated, as noted by Elle Magazine .
When on official engagements, nothing with too much garlic is ever served.
“Garlic is a no-no… You always have to lay off the garlic,” she shared.
Hello! confirmed this fact with former royal chef Darren McGrady, who revealed that palace chefs are forbidden from serving food containing too much onion or garlic as they worry about smelly breath when speaking to others during public engagements.
Foie gras is also off the menu, although it is considered an upscale meal. Stylecaster reported that in 2008, Prince Charles banned royal households from serving foie gras, a luxury dish consisting of fatty duck or goose liver, amid outrage over animal cruelty.
The queen also has a distaste for pasta and would rather fill up her plate with lighter fare such as fish, vegetables, salads, and fruit, according to Stylecaster . Pasta is usually only served at Buckingham Palace on special occasions.
Another common food, potatoes, are also banned in the palace, as Queen Elizabeth dislikes starchy foods. Potatoes are only served when outsiders are dining with the royal family.
Rare meat is also on the banned list. Most meat in the royal household is served well-done, as is the preference of the queen, reported Stylecaster .
Although fish is a staple at most royal meals, shellfish will never be seen on the royal menu, particularly when the family is traveling abroad, to avoid food poisoning and stomach issues.
Perhaps the most strange ban of all in the royal household is that the royal family is not allowed to drink tap water, specifically when abroad, to avoid the risk of dangerous contaminants that could stop them from performing their royal duties.
It seems that these foods are only banned at Buckingham Palace so it would be safe to assume that when Middleton and Markle are dining at home with their husbands and family, they can eat what they like as long as they have no scheduled royal appearances thereafter.