Ex-royal chef debunks bizarre royal myth about Queen Elizabeth II

A former royal chef has dismissed reports that Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of the royals would not eat a particular kind of food while carrying out duties, as it was previously reported.

Members of the Royal Family may have access to the best cuisines in the world and the rarest ingredients one could hope for, but they are said to be careful when attending official engagements, especially overseas, as some of them could make them sick.

One of the foods said to be "banned" during royal engagements up until now was shellfish and seafood in general. However, former royal chef Darren McGrady, who spent 15 years cooking for the Royal Family - serving the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, Prince William, and Prince Harry some of his finest dishes, said the claim "isn't true".

Speaking to Heart Bingo, he said: "The idea that the [late] Queen didn't eat seafood while travelling isn't true-we regularly cooked scallops and shrimp for her."

King Charles's former butler, Grant Harrold, had a different view of what the royals eat while on duty, saying: "When dining, the Royal Family has to be careful with shellfish due to shellfish poisoning, due to their work schedules.

"It is a very sensible move to abandon having seafood when out and about on public duties. "We don't want a member of the Royal Family having a serious reaction to food poisoning. Especially if [they] are on an overseas tour. Therefore, you will not normally find this on the royal menu."

Charles broke this rule when he was pictured eating oysters during the Whitstable Oyster Festival in 2013.

Other foods that are likely to be avoided by royals are garlic and onion. Mr McGrady said: "There weren't banned foods, but [Queen Elizabeth] didn't like garlic or strong onions, viewing them as antisocial. So we didn't use garlic in her meals. Prince Philip, however, loved garlic and would have it at his dinner parties. "

Another former royal chef, John Higgins, also said: "At Buckingham Palace, you don't cook with garlic. I suppose, in case you get the royal burp."

The rule, mostly in place during royal events and state banquets at home and abroad, was also confirmed by Queen Camilla in 2018. During an appearance on MasterChef Australia, Camilla said when asked about banned royal foods: "I hate to say this, but garlic. Garlic is a no-no."

Gary Mehigan, one of the judges , then asked: "So garlic is a no-no? Because you're talking, chatting?" The Queen replied: "Yes, exactly. So you always have to lay off the garlic."