What Foods Do the Royals Not Eat? A Peek Behind Palace Doors

Royal Palates: Why the Crown Skips Certain Dishes

We tend to imagine royalty dining on the finest foie gras, caviar, and truffle-infused everything. And sure, the royal menus are anything but average. But surprisingly, there’s quite a long list of foods that are simply not allowed on the plates of the British royal family. Whether it’s for health, etiquette, or… awkward digestion issues (yep), there are good reasons behind these culinary no-gos.

Let’s just say, being royal doesn’t always mean eating like a king.

Garlic and Onions: The Forbidden Aromatics

The breath factor nobody talks about

Garlic is basically enemy number one at Buckingham Palace. Why? Because of its strong, lingering smell. (You don’t want to knock out a foreign diplomat mid-conversation.) Queen Elizabeth II reportedly had a firm no garlic policy during state dinners. Charles III seems to be keeping that tradition alive, although not quite as strictly.

Onions are kinda on thin ice too—used very sparingly, if at all. So, no rich garlic butter or onion-heavy chutneys gracing those royal buffets.

Shellfish: Off the Menu for Safety

No oysters, no exceptions (well… almost)

Shellfish is considered risky business due to its high chance of causing food poisoning. Royals are expected to avoid prawns, clams, mussels, and oysters—especially when traveling. Imagine falling sick mid-tour in India or Ghana. That’s just not an option.

Although some say Prince William and Harry have been spotted enjoying seafood in private settings, it’s generally a big no-no at official events.

Foie Gras: Banned by Royal Request

Charles took a stand

This one’s a bit political. Foie gras was reportedly banned from royal residences by King Charles III when he was still Prince of Wales, due to concerns about animal cruelty. He’s a long-time advocate for environmental and ethical food practices.

So while it may still appear on some menus across Europe, you won’t find it anywhere near Windsor Castle.

Rare Meat: No pink in the middle, please

Medium rare? More like well-done

While most of us might drool over a juicy medium-rare steak, royal chefs are instructed to cook meat thoroughly. Rare or even medium-cooked meat carries a higher risk of bacteria—which, again, could cause a health mess. And royals simply can’t afford to be sick.

So, if you’re dining with the Windsors, prepare for your lamb to be more brown than pink. (A bit sad, honestly.)

Tap Water Abroad: Nope, bring your own

Better safe than sorry

When the royal family travels overseas, they typically avoid local tap water—even in hotels. It’s not meant as a snub; it’s just precautionary. Contaminated water can easily lead to stomach bugs, and that’s just not a good look during a royal walkabout.

They often travel with bottled water or specially treated alternatives. Overkill? Maybe. But it's protocol.

A Little Story: The Time Charles Refused Garlic at a Greek Wedding

So here’s a fun tidbit—during a 2002 visit to Greece, Charles was invited to a lavish local wedding dinner. The hosts had prepared a traditional garlic-heavy lamb dish (which, let’s be honest, sounds amazing). But Charles very politely declined and asked for a simple vegetable dish instead. The hosts were initially baffled—“He doesn’t eat lamb?!”—until the embassy staff gently explained the garlic thing. They ended up bringing out some grilled eggplant and rice. And Charles? He apparently loved it.

Just goes to show, the rules are followed—even when it’s awkward.

In the End: It’s Not About Taste, It’s About Image

While most of these restrictions might sound overly careful—or even joyless—they’re rooted in a mix of safety, diplomacy, and a very curated public image. Royals have to be “on” all the time. No time for garlic burps or undercooked beef disasters.

But hey, when you're a Windsor, you get the finest chefs on the planet. So even without oysters or aioli… they’re probably doing just fine.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

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Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

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