What Trump will serve King Charles III: Chef reveals royal diet secrets
Photo: King Charles III (X/RoyalFamily)
US President Donald Trump is preparing a grand state dinner in honor of the visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House. The ceremonial banquet is scheduled for April 28 and is dedicated to the 250th anniversary of US independence, and it is already known what Trump may serve his guests, according to Fox News.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady has already revealed details of the menu intended to impress the British monarchs. Impressing the monarch is easier than it seems. The key is the quality and seasonality of the ingredients.
Charles III prefers local farm products. His diet is based on simple yet refined ingredients. McGrady, who worked with Elizabeth II and Princess Diana, shared culinary insights:
"If there's a cheese course, the king will adore that, as he loves cheese. He also loves honey, grilled vegetables, risottos and especially lamb. There's incredible lamb here. He would be honored if there was lamb"
British TV presenter Helena Chard adds that the King is "obsessed with peas." In her view, organic mint peas sit at the top of Charles's vegetable hierarchy. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla has her own weakness — she loves chocolate.
List of restrictions: no garlic or seafood
Preparation for such a dinner takes weeks. The White House consults with the Palace regarding dietary restrictions. There is a strict security and etiquette protocol that excludes certain ingredients.
What will never be served at a state dinner:
- garlic: avoided for practical reasons to prevent unpleasant breath during conversations;
- shellfish and seafood: too high a risk of food poisoning during foreign visits;
- foie gras: King Charles refuses to consume this product on principle;
- spicy curries and heavy red sauces: they can be messy or overly experimental.
Trump's culinary diplomacy
This dinner is a moment to showcase American identity, Fox News notes. Unlike British banquets with a French influence, the US prepares a menu that is "American right down to its core." It is a way to demonstrate the achievements of US agriculture and winemaking.
For President Trump, this banquet is a chance to strengthen relations at the highest level. The menu may include subtle nods to British traditions, such as apple pie, but the overall table will remain distinctly American.
The final version of the menu, selected from three test options, will be officially announced 24 hours before the dinner.
What preceded the visit to the US
There were signs that the royal family's visit to Trump might not take place at all. In the British Parliament, calls were made for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to immediately cancel the King's state visit to the US.
The reasons are clear: Trump’s repeated insults toward the United Kingdom and the prime minister, as well as the unexpected war in Iran.
Indeed, Trump has made a number of offensive statements. For example, in private conversations, he reportedly called Starmer a "loser." And recently, responding to Prince Harry's call to provide more support to Ukraine, he said that he speaks on behalf of the United Kingdom more than the prince himself.
