Queen Camilla rarely cooks for King Charles despite her culinary skills, her son Tom Parker Bowles has revealed.
The food writer and critic made the disclosure whilst promoting his latest book, "Cooking & The Crown", at Windsor's Castle Hotel.
"I don't think she cooks for him, I'll be honest. They have a team of very good chefs," Parker Bowles said when asked about the Queen's cooking habits.
He acknowledged that his mother is known for making "a great roast chicken" but explained that royal dining arrangements are more formal than casual home cooking.
Queen Camilla avoids cooking for King Charles as Tom Parker Bowles issues update
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Despite not cooking regularly for the King, Parker Bowles shared insights into Charles's food preferences.
"He likes good – I don't want to speak out of turn here – but scrambled eggs and smoked salmon... who doesn't like scrambled eggs or roast chicken?" Parker Bowles remarked.
The food writer suggested royal mealtimes are more structured than spontaneous domestic affairs.
"So it would be something that we'd eat, definitely, but I don't think there's a lot of 'Honey, I'm home, what's for dinner?' I think it's a bit more planned than that," he explained.
Tom Parker Bowles made the comments while promoting his new book
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Parker Bowles also discussed the diplomatic significance of royal dining.
"This is food as soft diplomacy, or souffle diplomacy," he explained.
He emphasised how shared meals can foster international relations.
"It still happens to this day, to bring world leaders, whether it be Mr Trump or whoever it might be, to sit down and eat together."
Tom Parker Bowles opened up about the dynamics between his mother and stepfather
PA
The food writer highlighted the unifying power of such occasions.
"That is the unifying power of food, and that, for me, shows that diplomatic soft power," he said.
He specifically mentioned former US President Donald Trump, noting: "It seems Trump is very excited about coming back, and great, if it keeps everything peaceful."
Parker Bowles also offered insights into his relationship with Queen Camilla, revealing that visits to Windsor Castle now require more planning.
Queen Camilla's children Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes at the Coronation in May 2023PA"It takes a bit more planning now... I probably would call or text. She can't do WhatsApp... which is probably a good thing," he said.
He has previously mentioned that the app doesn't work on his mother's old-fashioned Nokia handset.
Parker Bowles joked about his mother's attentiveness, adding: "She's very sort of beady on these things. She would know I was here, and she would say, 'come over,' without a shadow of a doubt."
