Royal Mealtime Rules: What the Queen Bans from the Table

When it comes to royal dining, you might think that Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis enjoy a life of culinary luxury.

After all, they are grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II!

However, it turns out that there are some surprising restrictions at the royal table.

Former Member of Parliament Giles Brandreth recently shared insights into the Queen's mealtime preferences during an appearance on ITV's This Morning.

He revealed that she has a clear vision of what should and shouldn't be present during meals with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Notably, one of her strictest rules is the prohibition of mobile phones at the dinner table.

According to Brandreth, the Queen appreciates a formal dining experience and expects her family to adhere to certain standards.

Brandreth stated, “She likes a formal, and I too like a fairly formal meal.”

While he acknowledged that napkins aren't strictly necessary, he emphasized the importance of sitting properly and maintaining good manners—like not chewing with one's mouth open.

It seems that even in the royal household, etiquette remains a top priority.

But that's not all.

Another surprising item that's off-limits at Buckingham Palace is garlic.

According to Prince William, who spent 15 years as a royal chef, garlic has never graced the Queen's menu.

This quirky rule adds a unique twist to the royal dining experience, showing that even the most elite families have their peculiarities.

Interestingly, this strict dining culture contrasts sharply with the more laid-back eating habits of the young princes in their childhood.

It has come to light that both Prince William and Prince Harry enjoyed fast food outings during their early years.

Their beloved mother, Princess Diana, often took them to McDonald's for a treat, proving that even royals have a taste for classic burgers.

In a 2017 interview with Marie Claire, a former palace chef recounted a memorable day when Diana decided to cancel the boys' lunch plans.

She excitedly announced, “We're going to McDonald's!”

This spontaneous outing highlighted her desire to give her sons a taste of normal childhood experiences, complete with toys and all.

The former royal butler Paul Burrell also reminisced about those fun times.

He recalled how the brothers would sneak off to McDonald's for a Big Mac and fries before returning home to enjoy their favorite television show, “Blind Date.”