Unusual eating habits of King Charles III surprise even palace chefs

King Charles III's eating habits present a series of unusual rituals that have surprised even those within the royal household. Former royal chef Darren McGrady shared an anecdote from his time serving the then-Prince of Wales, detailing the King's specific breakfast routine involving plums.

According to McGrady, Charles always enjoyed fruits from his Highgrove gardens, with plums holding a special place. The instruction was to serve two plums with a bit of juice in a bowl each morning. "I would take two plums, and after breakfast, I would take one out and put it back into the jar," McGrady recalled. Intrigued by the fact that only one plum was ever consumed, the chef once experimented by serving just one. However, the experiment was short-lived as a palace staff member soon requested, "Could His Royal Highness have two plums?" From that day on, two plums were served daily, regardless of whether the second was eaten.

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I would take two plums, and after breakfast, I would take one out and put it back into the jar.

This plum ritual highlights one of King Charles's most distinct personality traits: his adherence to established routines. Even if the second plum remained untouched, the breakfast presentation had to follow the long-standing custom.

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He asked, 'Could His Royal Highness have two plums?' So from that day on, I had to serve two plums every morning.

The King's tendency to skip lunch is another notable habit. Numerous former staff members and individuals close to the royal family have mentioned that Charles often views lunch as time that could be better spent working. His intense schedule frequently leads him to forgo midday meals, relying instead on breakfast and dinner. These habits align with his reputation for discipline and a focus on a healthy lifestyle, though they differ from a traditional royal way of life.

While plums are a breakfast staple, cheese appears to be one of the King's greatest culinary weaknesses. People close to the royal family have repeatedly noted his strong liking for various types of cheese, a preference that has persisted for many years. This fondness for cheese is another example of how the King's eating habits are often surprisingly simple and down-to-earth, despite the surrounding luxury. His dietary choices consistently favor quality, seasonal products over elaborate dishes, reflecting his long-standing interest in ecology and sustainable farming, with much of his food sourced from local farms or his own estates.

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He often values lunch as time that could be spent working. Because of this, he often limits himself to breakfast and dinner.