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King Charles’ coronation menu trashed by Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles

Tom Parker Bowles, a renowned food critic, has had a crack at the “awful” menu that will be served at King Charles’ coronation.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Tom Parker Bowles. Picture: Danny E. Martindale/Getty Images
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Tom Parker Bowles. Picture: Danny E. Martindale/Getty Images

Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles is dishing out his opinion on his mother’s forthcoming coronation with husband King Charles.

The food critic, 48, first touched upon the reported “Not My King” protests that are set to go down on May 6 in the United Kingdom – the date of the monarchs’ crownings.

“Everyone has the right to think what they want,” he told the News Agents podcast in a recent interview.

“We live in, thankfully, a free country,” Mr Parker Bowles explained, adding that if citizens want to protest “that’s their right to do so”.

Tom Parker Bowles, son of Camilla, says people should feel free to protest the coronation. Picture: Danny E. Martindale/Getty Images
Tom Parker Bowles, son of Camilla, says people should feel free to protest the coronation. Picture: Danny E. Martindale/Getty Images

He continued: “You’re allowed to protest. We all are allowed to have different views and I think that makes for an interesting and civilised country.”

The Let’s Eat: Recipes from My Kitchen Notebook author also gave his two cents about whether it will be weird to see Camilla, 75, as Queen.

“Not really because she’s still my mother,” he noted. “I think change happens, but I don’t care what anyone says.”

The culinary expert didn’t hesitate to skewer the coronation menu by sharing the worst possible ingredients.

Tom Parker Bowles has also trashed the coronation menu. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Tom Parker Bowles has also trashed the coronation menu. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Mr Parker Bowles believes that spices like chilli and garlic shouldn’t be included in the special day’s spread.

He pointed out that stinky seasonings such as garlic “can make your breath smell”. He then stated how his mother also isn’t a fan of chilli and “doesn’t like massive spice”.

“[If] you’re walking around and meeting lots of people, I think you have to be a little bit careful not to get the tummy too excited,” the father-of-two advised.

One dish that will also be presented on the menu includes the coronation quiche. The decades-old fan-favourite coronation chicken may even be making a guest appearance.

Mr Parker Bowles described the poultry entrée as “really horrible” as he believes it’s too antiquated to be served in modern times.

King Charles III at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on April 14, 2023 in Camberley, England. Picture: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
King Charles III at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on April 14, 2023 in Camberley, England. Picture: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images

The chicken meal’s origins stretch back to 1953 when Queen Elizabeth was crowned as sovereign. The roasted chicken dish features fresh curry powder.

“What happened over the years is it became this awful, turgid, sad, sort of gloopy mess, yellow, horrid. I mean coronation chicken done badly is appalling,” Parker Bowles uttered.

“And I think what started off as something quite nice and probably quite exotic for the ’50s has now become something really horrible,” he said.

The cookbook writer added that while he didn’t have a hand in selecting the coronation menu, he praised Buckingham Palace’s executive chef Mark Flanagan for his culinary artistry.

“He’s a really, really good chef. So, I wouldn’t dare start telling him what to do,” Mr Parker Bowles gushed.

Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales and Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales. Picture: Jacob King/AFP
Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales and Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales. Picture: Jacob King/AFP

As for the quiche, the egg-filled delight is a mixture of spinach, broad beans, cheese and tarragon. The meal was personally chosen by Charles, 74, and Camilla for the big event next month.

However, royal fans on Twitter were fuming over the idea, shaking their heads “no” to frying up the delicacy.

“#Coronation quiche? Is Charles serious? No sane person chooses to eat quiche,” one angry person penned.

Another interjected: “The ‘coronation quiche’ looks absolutely grim, so I suppose it’s a fitting choice.”

The New York Post has reached out to Parker Bowles for comment.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and reproduced with permission

Originally published as King Charles’ coronation menu trashed by Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/king-charles-coronation-menu-trashed-by-camillas-son-tom-parker-bowles/news-story/a3c2394b62cf91eaf69d282a6840b263