The King has cemented himself as a foodie with his own collection of jams and marmalades and a well-known love of fresh produce. But as an organic foods enthusiast, there’s one fast food he isn’t on board with and even once tried to ban despite being a fan-favourite worldwide.
Back in 2007, the then Prince of Wales was visiting a diabetes treatment centre in Abu Dhabi with his wife Camilla when he posed a controversial question to nutritionist Nadine Tayara: “Have you got anywhere with McDonald’s?” he said. “Have you tried getting it banned? That is the key.”
After prompting a response from McDonald’s, who called the royal’s comments “disappointing”, a Clarence House spokesperson doubled down that the royal “believes very strongly in the importance of a balanced diet”.
© Anwar Hussein/WireImageCharles and Camilla during their visit to the Imperial College of London Diabetes Centre in Abu Dhabi in 2007
They continued: “The context of what he was saying was to draw attention to this very important issue, particularly the need for children to enjoy the widest possible variety of food.”
Charles’ balanced diet and sustainable practices
Along with his criticism of McDonald’s, the royal once warned that “super-sizing” at fast food chains was fuelling obesity in the UK. Instead, as a longtime dedicated advocate for the environment, Charles has favoured organic farming in his own diet, and is said to avoid food waste.
He transformed his Highgrove Estate into an organic farm more than 40 years ago, and continues to farm organically at Sandringham.
© Tim Graham Photo Library via GetThe royal attending to the gardens at Highgrove
“One of the reasons I went organic 40 years ago was because I felt there was an overuse of antibiotics,” the royal previously explained his lifestyle choice.
On top of his commitment to organic food, Charles has stuck to a mainly plant-based diet over the years in an effort to reduce his carbon footprint. He told the BBC in 2021: “For years I haven’t eaten meat and fish two days a week and I don’t eat dairy products one day a week.”
WATCH: King Charles’ Daily Diet
Do the royal family eat fast food?
While Charles might not seem like a fan, how do the rest of the royals feel about a McDonald’s burger? Well, former royal chef Darren McGrady once shared the time that Princess Diana told him she was taking her young sons, Princes William and Harry, on a fast food run to get a Happy Meal toy from McDonald’s.
Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales have shared their takeaway favourites over the years, including curry and Nando’s. As for Queen Camilla, she once admitted her go-to is a classic fish and chips.